EFFECT OF PHYSICAL AGING ON DIELECTRIC, THERMAL AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF CAST-EPOXY INSULATORS

Samples of cast bisphenol-A and cycloaliphatic epoxy insulation were q uenched from a temperature above T(g) (170-degrees-C) to room temperat ure. Variations in dielectric, thermal and mechanical properties were examined during subsequent sub-T(g) annealing (physical aging). It was found that the impact strength of the epoxy insulation decreased cons iderably with physical aging. Moisture intake and subsequent dielectri c loss at room temperature were also found to decrease with physical a ging. Glass transition temperature and excess enthalpy measured by DSC demonstrated significant increase with increased sub-T(g) annealing. On the other hand, dielectric properties showed different changing pat terns during sub-T(g) annealing in different epoxy systems. It is conc luded that epoxy insulating materials should be properly annealed befo re assessing their dielectric and other physical properties because of the possibility of unknown rapid cooling histories.