Water droplet initiated discharges on epoxy nanocomposites under DC voltages

Epoxy nanocomposites with different percentages of nano clay filler are prepared using a shear mixer technique. Corona inception voltage (CIV) due to water droplets on the epoxy nanocomposite is high under negative direct voltage compared with positive polarity voltage. It was found that an increase in droplet volume and number of droplets within the gap reduces the CIV. The magnitude of discharge current flow is high under negative polarity. Surface charge accumulation studies indicate nonlinear variation in distribution of charges on the surface of the epoxy nanocomposite with water droplets. Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) results confirm high temperature plasma during water droplet initiated electrical discharges on the surface of epoxy resin. Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) results indicate the presence of carbon on the degraded surface of the sample. The absorbed energy on the sample surface during arcing is measured through leakage current, and is observed to be higher for negative polarity. UHF signals were radiated due to corona discharges from water droplets on the epoxy nanocomposites under direct voltages and their bandwidth is in the range of 1-2 GHz.