Investigation on the Electrical Characteristics of Highly Porous Polymeric PolyHIPE Foams in High Voltage Applications

Poly (stryrene-co-divinylbenzene) polymerized high internal phase emulsion (polyHIPE) foam was successfully synthesized through emulsion templating. The as-synthesized polyHIPE foam showed an interconnected cellular structure as the characteristic morphology of this type of polymeric monoliths. Despite a porous structure, the lightweight polyHIPE foam with a density of an order of 10-1 g/cm3 seems to be a good candidate for high voltage applications. To this end, electrical tests were carried out to examine electrical characteristics of the polymeric foam. According to the results of the impulse test, first breakdown was observed at 81kV peak of the impulse wave. The highvoltage AC test revealed the occurrence of the first breakdown at 43kV. These results are promising applicability of highly porous polyHIPE foams in high voltage applications

Keywords:

Porous polymers , polyHIPE foam , High voltage applications