The effect of water on tracking failure of epoxy/MgO samples

In this study, the change in the electrical performance of epoxy/MgO, which is one of the materials used to increase the performance of epoxy resin, was evaluated under the effect of water. Accordingly, comparative tracking index (CTI) experiments, which are one of the effective methods used to model electricity's effect on surface properties, were used. To measure the performance of epoxy resins without additions, 1%, 3% and 5% nanosized MgO-added samples were prepared. Prepared samples were stored 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h and 120 h in pure water. Then, the samples were subjected to CTI test in a laboratory environment. Recorded leakage current from experiments was analyzed using harmonic analysis. While the experimental results obtained have resulted in improvements like those of MgO/epoxy additions previously reported in the literature, the resistance of the observed samples after their exposure to pure water has been reported, in the opposite direction. Thus, with this experimental study, it has been demonstrated that it is necessary to add some hydrophobic compounds to show the desired performance in the external environment with MgO-doped epoxy resins. It should be supported by extra protection in such dense liquid environments.