Effect of Particle Geometry on Electric Field Distribution, Partial Discharge, and Dielectric Strength of Iron-Polymer Composites

With the goal of designing metal-polymer composites with tunable electrical properties and optimal electrical integrity, this work studies the effects of filler particle size and shape on the electric field and breakdown characteristics of iron-polymer composites. Polydimethylsiloxane-iron (PDMS-Fe) composites were fabricated, and partial discharge inception electric field (PDIE) and breakdown electric field (E bd ) were measured. Two-dimensional models of each sample were qualitatively analyzed using finite element analysis (FEA). According to the results of this investigation, PDMS-Fe composites fabricated with large, irregularly shaped iron (Fe) particles had a lower PDIE and E bd than composites fabricated with smaller, spherical Fe particles. It was also concluded that ellipses are not an accurate representation of irregularly shaped Fe particles for the purpose of FEA electric field modeling.