Annual Report Conference on Electrical Insulation and Dielectric Phenomena (CEIDP), Indiana, United States Of America, 17 - 20 October 2010
Polymer nanocomposites typically consist of inorganic particles dispersed in a polymer matrix. Layered-silicate-based polymer nanocomposites have great potential as low-cost, highperformance materials with various engineering applications. They exhibit enhanced mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties compared with their macro-and micro-counterparts. Polypropylene (PP) exhibits good hardness, thermal, and electrical properties and provides outstanding resistance to moisture and chemicals such as grease, detergent, and oils. In addition to this, PP provides good resistance to fatigue, environmental stress, and cracking. It is commonly used as an insulating material in power capacitors and cable wraps. Natural montmorillonite (MMT) is a commonly-used layered silicate filler. Nanocomposites formed from isotactic polypropylene (iPP) filled with MMT are candidates for power cable insulation materials with enhanced properties.