Moisture Absorption Behavior in Silicon Nitride Epoxy Nanocomposites

F. N. Alhabill, T. Andritsch, A. S. Vaughan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The kinetics of moisture uptake was investigated for both unfilled and nanofilled epoxy networks. The results indicate that the addition of silicon nitride nanofiller, which is covered by amine groups, increases the equilibrium water uptake but does not change the diffusion coefficient, as was observed for a hardener (amine)-rich unfilled sample. This behavior was explained by impediment of water diffusion by the particles. Comparing the dielectric spectra of the dry and wet samples suggests that the absorbed water has no significant effect on the dielectric spectra at frequencies > 10 Hz. At lower frequencies, the water increases the DC conductivity and the imaginary part of the relative permittivity. It is though that the reaction between the amine groups on the surface of the particles and the epoxy groups redistributes the amine content and, consequently, the absorbed water to the whole matrix. This might prevent the water from accumulating around the nanoparticles and producing a mid/high-frequency relaxation as reported in similar systems.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2017 IEEE Electrical Insulation Conference, EIC 2017
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages471-474
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781509039678, 9781509039661
ISBN (Print)9781509039654, 9781509039685
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Aug 2017
Externally publishedYes
Event35th IEEE Electrical Insulation Conference - Baltimore, United States
Duration: 11 Jun 201714 Jun 2017
Conference number: 35

Conference

Conference35th IEEE Electrical Insulation Conference
Abbreviated titleEIC 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBaltimore
Period11/06/1714/06/17

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