IET Nanodielectrics

Research Article

Evaluation of dielectric strength of SiR/TiO 2

eISSN 2514-3255
Received on 8th January 2020
Revised 16th May 2020
composites using feed-forward neural Accepted on 20th May 2020
E-First on 6th July 2020
network doi: 10.1049/iet-nde.2020.0001
www.ietdl.org

Shaymaa A. Qenawy1 , Loai S. Nasrat2, Hanafy M. Ismail1, Jeannette N. Asaad3

1ElectricalPower and Machines Engineering Department, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
2ElectricalEngineering Department, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt
3Polymers and Pigments Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt

E-mail: shaymaa.qenawy@yahoo.com

Abstract: Among the recently insulating materials broadly utilized in high voltage outdoor insulation, silicone rubber (SiR) has
gotten the foremost consideration. Actually, SiR is becoming an efficient countermeasure to insulator contamination issues. To
enhance different properties of polymeric materials, micro- and nanofillers have been used for dielectric applications. In this
study, micron-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2) and nano-sized TiO2 fillers were added to the SiR matrix to improve electrical and
mechanical properties. Dielectric strength, tensile strength, and elongation at break tests were monitored. Also, a scanning
electron microscope was carried out. The samples were prepared by mixing micro-TiO2 into SiR with the content of 0, 10, 20,
30, and 40 wt% and also mixing nano-TiO2 into SiR with the content of 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 wt%. A feed-forward neural network
technique was used to estimate the dielectric strength in different conditions and different percentages of fillers. Adding nano
TiO2 filler enhances the electrical and mechanical properties of SiR composites. SiR with 5 wt% nano TiO2 showed the best
improvement in electrical and mechanical properties.

1 Introduction 2.1 Materials

For the past few years, a lot of consideration has been given to the
application of nanodielectrics in the field of electrical insulating
materials. Nanodielectrics are a class of materials containing at
least one phase at the nanometre scale [1–3]. The utilisation of
nanoparticles in the matrix of polymeric materials can
extraordinarily enhance the electrical, thermal, and mechanical
characteristics of polymeric composites, which has been accounted
for [4–7].
Different investigations have been made contrasting the
performance of nano- to micro-particle-filled composites. In
contrast to microfillers, nanofillers have been reported to mitigate
more efficiently the space charge formation in polymeric materials
[7–11].
After the audit of the accessible information, polymer
nanocomposite has been found to be promising as near future
advanced dielectric and electrical insulation from the viewpoint of
its excellent characteristics.
Composite insulators have been very popular with utilities and
instrument manufacturers all over the world since they first
appeared in the 1960s. Amongst their merits, composite designs
offer lighter weight, less leakage, improved seismic performance,
and more flexibility in design than ceramic insulators. These
features can be translated into lower installation costs, greater
durability, and more aesthetically pleasing line design [12–14].
This study aims to enhance SiR properties such as electrical and
mechanical properties by adding micro- and nano-titanium dioxide
(TiO2) filler. This study focuses on trying to find an applicable
weight percentage composition of such composite samples to
enhance the dielectric strength of the insulation in numerous
contaminated conditions. Also, the feed forward neural network
(FFNN) technique is used to predict the dielectric strength for the
intermediate values of untested samples.
2 Experimental technique
The high-temperature vulcanised (HTV) solid silicone rubber (SiR)
was supplied by Sonax, Germany (A. Faroon Egypt S.A.E.), and
was used for making the samples. HTV SiR is based on high-
molecular polydimethylsiloxanes, polymethylphenylsiloxanes,
methyltrifluoropropylsiloxanes, or their copolymers containing
methylinylsiloxy groups in the polymer chain. The average particle
size of the micro-TiO2 used was 20 µm. The particle size of nano-
TiO2 was 20 ± 5 nm. The micro-/nano-TiO2 fillers were supplied
by nanotech Egypt.
2.2 Samples preparation
The filler is loaded to the SiR/hardener mixture that is again moved
slowly until the particles have been uniformly mixed with the SiR
under the magnetic field and the air bubbles have escaped. The
mixture is then flowed carefully into a mould and left at room
temperature (25°C) until cured after 24 h and 7 days for material
settlement. The mixture of SiR composite occupies the mould
shape. There are various ratios of TiO2 filler in micro- and
nanosize. To prepare SiR composites of various percentages of
TiO2 filler, all formulations scheduled in Tables 1 and 2 were
mixed using an electric heat chamber of Barbender Plasticoder
model (C. W. pra, instrument, INC.50 Hackensack, 230 V, 40 A).
After the mixing was finished, the prepared SiR composites were
in the form of a sheet with dimensions of 20 × 20 cm. The samples
were cut with dimensions that best suited each testing method
according to ASTM.
2.3 Dielectric strength test
Dielectric strength is defined as the maximum voltage that an
insulating material can endure before the breakdown happens. It
usually depends on the thickness of the material and the method
and conditions of the test. The results are expressed in kV/mm.
Sets of composite samples have been prepared and tested using AC
voltage. Dielectric strength is measured through the thickness of
the sample, which is equal to 2 mm. Samples are in the form of a

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Table 1 Microcomposite formulations 2.3.1 Dry condition: The procedures applied to all samples to
Composite symbol Type of filler Filler weight, % obtain a high-accuracy reading for each sample during the
B blank 0 dielectric strength test under dry condition are as follows:
T10 micro-TiO2 10
• The specimens should be dry and clean before starting the high-
T20 20 voltage test to remove dust and other contaminated particles on
T30 30 the surface before testing.
T40 40 • The samples should be immersed in oil to prevent flashover, and
if the flashover occurs, the sample is excluded.
• The voltage was gradually increased at a constant rate of 2 kV/s
Table 2 Nanocomposite formulations until the voltage breakdown occurs as shown in Fig. 1. The test
assessed by ASTM-D149 [15] at room temperature (25°C) and
Composite symbol Type of filler Filler weight, %
relative humidity of 51%.
B blank 0
T1 nano-TiO2 1 2.3.2 Wet condition: The studies carried out in this work lead to
T3 3 understanding the effect of water on the dielectric strength of TiO2
T5 5 composites. The specimens should be placed in a container of
T7 7 boiling distilled water and should be supported on edge and be
completely submerged. At the end of 120 min, the specimens
should be removed from the container and cooled in distilled water
maintained at room temperature. After 15 min, the specimens
should be removed from the water, one at a time, all surface water
removed with a dry cloth, and then the samples immersed into the
oil to prevent surface flashover according to ASTM-D570 [16].

2.4 Salty wet condition

The saline attack is an important and major factor in the
deterioration process of high-voltage outdoor insulators near the
coast. Salinity refers to the quantity of salt in the water which will
affect its acidity. Artificial contaminants have been prepared using
a salient solution of NaCl and distilled water. Then the specimens
immersed in a container of salient solution at room temperature. At
the end of 24 h, the specimens were removed from the salient
solution one at a time, all surface wiped off with a dry cloth and
immersed in oil to perform dielectric strength test according to
ASTM D570.
Fig. 1  Schematic diagram used for dielectric strength test

2.5 Mechanical tests

To demonstrate the capability of composite specimens to resist the
mechanical strength, mechanical tests such as tensile strength and
elongation at break have been performed. The sample should be in
the form of a dumbbell shape with a length of 5 cm and a thickness
of 2 mm as illustrated in Fig. 2. The test assessed by ASTM D-412
[17] using the Zwick Roell LTM electrodynamic testing machine.

2.6 Morphology of SiR composites

Fig. 2  SiR sample for mechanical tests
disc with a diameter of 5 cm and a thickness of 2 mm. Fig. 1 shows
the circuit used for the dielectric strength test.
The different testing conditions are classified as follows:
• The first set of samples has been tested using AC voltage under
dry conditions.
• The second set of samples has been tested using AC voltage
under wet conditions.
• To investigate the severe environmental effect on polymeric
materials, all samples were immersed in sodium chloride (NaCl)
with two different concentrations; after this immersion, the
samples were tested.
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A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to know the
distribution of nanofillers on the surface of the SiR material. The
dispersal of the nano TiO2 filler is very important in obtaining
consistent properties in the SiR matrix. SEM micrographs of the
nano-TiO2/SiR composite samples are shown in Fig. 3.
It is notable that because of the very nature of the nanoparticles
ideal distribution is very difficult. Some agglomerations have been
formed in the nano-composite. Despite the fact that the effective
diameter of the agglomerations is also in the nm range.
Consequently, the distribution of the filler in the nano-composite
can be considered reasonably good.
The good bonding between the nano-filler and the SiR matrix
improves the dielectric properties of the nanocomposites
(explained in Section 3.1).
It also can be shown from Fig. 3a that the fracture surface of
pure SiR shown no impurity particles.
Conductivity enhanced insignificantly for the nanocomposites
that had a low content of TiO2 (5 wt%) compared to other
specimens. Conductivity reduced insignificantly at higher content
of TiO2 [18]. This reduction in conductivity may be due to the
particle blockage of the conduction path by the TiO2 particles filled
with the SiR [19].
Traps deficiency may have been inferred from the strong bond
polymer chains at the interface region. However, the increase in the
75
Fig. 3  SEM micrographs of the nano-TiO2/SiR composite samples
(a) Pure SiR, (b) 1% TiO2, (c) 3% TiO2, (d) 5% TiO2, (e) 7% TiO2

traps was probably due to the interaction between nanoparticles. It
turned out that the large quantities of TiO2 nanoparticles
contributed to the increase in shallow traps in the nanocomposites
[20]. The small amount of TiO2 nanoparticles enhanced the
dielectric properties of SiR (explained in Section 3.1).
The effect of doping on the electrical performance of SiR such
as dielectric strength is fundamentally related to impurity and the
interface of micro- and nano-TiO2. The decrease in the electrical
performance of SiR can be due to the polarisation and ionisation of
impurities. The interface not only improves the structure of SiR but
also increases the traps, which can enhance the dielectric
performance of SiR [21].
3 Results and discussion
3.1 Dielectric strength measurements for SiR composite
samples using titanium dioxide filler in different conditions
The dielectric strength for SiR has been studied with different
micro- and nano-TiO2 filler wt% in different conditions: dry, wet,
salty wet, and very salty wet condition effects. All of the practical

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Fig. 4  Dielectric strength (kV/mm) of nano- and micro-TiO2 composite samples under different conditions
Fig. 5  Structure of inputs and output of the FFNN model
results were precisely gathered and plotted to be easy for
discussion and analysis.
Fig. 4 shows the relation of dielectric strength and several
percentages of micro- and nano-TiO2 fillers added to SiR when
tested under different conditions.
The increase of micro- and nano-TiO2 filler concentration
results in increasing the dielectric strength. The dielectric strength
of SiR composite with nano-TiO2 filler is larger than the dielectric
strength of SiR with micro-TiO2 filler. From Fig. 4, it can be seen
that the dielectric strength of the micro- and nanocomposite
samples increases with the increase of TiO2 concentrations until a
percentage of 30% for micro-TiO2 and 5% for nano-TiO2 but
decreases when the percentage increases above 20% for micro-
TiO2 and above 5% for nano-TiO2.
Fig. 4 shows that the SiR composite with 20% micro-TiO2 filler
(sample T20) records maximum dielectric strength compared with
the other concentration for the same filler. Fig. 4 also shows that
the SiR composite with 5% nano-TiO2 filler (sample T5) records
maximum dielectric strength compared with the other
concentration for the same filler. Nano-TiO2 filler records best
values of dielectric strength compared to micro-TiO2 filler as
shown in Fig. 4.
From Fig. 4, it can be seen that the smaller addition amount of
nanoscale TiO2 filler had an effect on the improvement of
dielectric strength compared with microscale TiO2 filler. An
effective amount of nanoscale TiO2 filler for dielectric strength
seems to be 5%. Nano-TiO2 filled samples and micro-TiO2 filled
samples showed better dielectric strength. A still higher percentage
of micro- and nano-TiO2 could have improved the performance of
dielectric strength as compared to the unfilled sample.
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The effect of wet and salty wet is very clear on dielectric
strength because they reduce their value. Also, the effect of the
saltwater solution is very clear for the blank SiR sample due to the
ability of SiR to absorb NaOH [22].
3.2 FFNN technique
Different experimental measurements for dielectric strength were
performed on different SiR composite samples. These experimental
measurements were used for training the neural network model,
which has two inputs: the percentage of micro- and nano-TiO2
fillers in the SiR and the test conditions; the output of the neural
network model consists of one neuron representing the dielectric
strength as shown in Fig. 5. In this work, the feed-forward back
propagation neural network model has been used.
The used FFNN model was built by writing m-file code using
MATLAB neural network toolbox (built-in function).
The dielectric strength has been investigated in five samples for
every condition. Four of them have been used to train the FFNN
model. After training the FFNN model, the fifth sample has been
used to test the FFNN model and compare it with the experimental
value to check the validity of the FFNN technique and evaluate the
percentage of error. The FFNN technique was efficient in
predicting the values of the dielectric strength, even when only a
small set of data was available.
3.2.1 Case 1: FFNN results for predicting the dielectric
strength of micro-TiO2/SiR composite samples in different
conditions (FFNN1): FFNN1 output test results represented the
dielectric strength measurements of SiR with different
concentrations of micro-TiO2 under different conditions. Table 3
shows the test results of FFNN in different conditions such as dry,
wet, low salty wet, and high salty wet. This model can be used for
the design and development process of the polymer insulator.
It can be observed that the FFNN model has been trained,
which can estimate successfully the dielectric strength of different
concentrations of micro-TiO2 in SiR composites. The root-mean-
square error of the FFNN model equals 0.7405.
3.2.2 Case 2: FFNN results for predicting the dielectric
strength of nano-TiO2/SiR composite samples in different
conditions (FFNN2): The observed results, estimated results, and
percentage of the residual values are tabulated in Table 4.
77
Table 3 FFNN results and experimental results for the dielectric strength of micro-TiO2/SiR composite samples in different
conditions
Composite symbol Test condition Dielectric strength
Experimental result FFNN estimation Error percent, %
B dry condition 31.2200 30.4863 2.3501
T10 37.0300 36.5063 1.4143
T20 39.7500 38.3382 3.5517
T30 a 38.3700 38.4112 0.1074
T40 37.3600 37.4479 0.2353
B wet condition 29.2000 30.4861 4.4045
T10 35.2800 36.5061 3.4753
T20 37.0600 38.3381 3.4487
T30 a 36.5400 38.4112 5.1210
T40 35.8400 37.4478 4.4860
B low salty wet condition 28.4500 27.9922 1.6091
T10 34.7100 34.6500 0.1729
T20 37.1600 37.6595 1.3442
T30a 36.2100 37.5976 3.8321
T40 35.1400 34.8435 0.8438
B high salty wet condition 26.0300 26.1495 0.4591
T10 32.4500 31.9874 1.4256
T20 35.1800 36.0857 2.5745
T30 a 34.3900 34.0963 0.8540
T40 33.2400 32.7489 1.4774
aExpresses the samples that have been used to test the FFNN model.

Table 4 FFNN2 results and experimental results for the dielectric strength of nano-TiO2/SiR composite samples in different
conditions
Composite symbol Test condition Dielectric strength
Experimental result FFNN estimation Error percent, %
B dry condition 31.2200 29.9414 4.0959
T1 36.1200 34.7489 3.7960
T3 37.2500 36.2153 2.7777
T5a 41.3200 37.7387 8.6672
T7 39.0200 38.2468 1.9815
B wet condition 29.2000 29.9414 2.5390
T1 33.8900 34.7489 2.5344
T3 35.4600 36.2153 2.1300
T5a 39.4700 37.7387 4.3864
T7 37.3700 38.2469 2.3465
B low salty wet condition 28.4500 28.1057 1.2102
T1 33.4400 33.8354 1.1824
T3 34.2700 36.0655 5.2393
T5a 38.4900 38.1057 0.9984
T7 36.7300 37.5892 2.3392
B high salty wet condition 26.0300 26.6328 2.3158
T1 31.7800 31.2227 1.7536
T3 32.5500 32.4549 0.2922
T5a 36.1700 36.7526 1.6107
T7 34.4300 37.2704 8.2498
aExpresses the samples that have been used to test the FFNN model.

It can be noted that the FFNN model has been trained, which
can estimate successfully the dielectric strength of different
concentrations of nano-TiO2 in SiR composites. The root-mean-
square error of the FFNN model equals 0.9900.
3.2.3 Case 3: FFNN results for predicting the dielectric
strength of different concentrations of micro- and nano-
TiO2/SiR composite samples in different conditions: FFNN
helps to predict all values of dielectric strength for different
TiO2/SiR composites especially for the samples which are situated
between the experimental results.
The trained FFNN model acts as a robust predictor for any other
percentage of fillers, e.g. 5, 15, 25, and 35% for micro-TiO2 and 2,
3.5, 4, and 6% for nano-TiO2 as shown in Tables 5 and 6.
It can be investigated from Tables 5 and 6 that the predicted
values of dielectric strength of SiR composites were reasonable

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Table 5 FFNN results for predicting the dielectric strength of micro-TiO2/SiR composite samples in different conditions
Percentages of filler, % Test condition Predicted values of dielectric strength, kV/mm
5 dry condition 33.3501
15 37.1763
25 37.1334
35 37.1642
5 wet condition 33.3500
15 37.1763
25 37.1334
35 37.1641
5 low salty wet condition 31.6334
15 35.9942
25 35.8129
35 34.9888
5 high salty wet condition 31.0625
15 33.3820
25 33.5441
35 34.0260

Table 6 FFNN results for predicting the dielectric strength of nano-TiO2/SiR composite samples in different conditions
Percentages of filler, % Test condition Predicted values of dielectric strength, kV/mm
0.5 dry condition 32.3473
2 35.1378
4 38.0074
6 39.4450
0.5 wet condition 32.3473
2 35.1377
4 38.0073
6 39.4450
0.5 low salty wet condition 32.3460
2 33.6362
4 36.3355
6 37.2370
0.5 high salty wet condition 31.4468
2 31.4795
4 33.9205
6 34.6044

3.3 Mechanical test results

3.3.1 Tensile strength of micro- and nano- TiO2/SiR
composite samples: The tensile strength properties of micro- and
nano-zeolite-loaded SiR composites are shown in Fig. 6.
It can be investigated from Fig. 6 that the incorporation of
nanoparticles into the SiR matrix increases the tensile strength of
the composite. The tensile strength of pure SiR is 6.99 MPa. The
addition of micro- and nano-TiO2 in SiR composites leads to the
continuous improvement of tensile strength.
However, micro-TiO2 filled SiR composites increased the
tensile strength at 10 wt%, and decreased the tensile strength from
20 to 40 wt% loading. SiR with added 5% wt nano-TiO2 filler has a
maximum tensile strength (8.68 MPa) compared to pure SiR and
micro-TiO2.

3.3.2 Elongation at break of micro- and nano-TiO2/SiR

Fig. 6  Tensile strength of SiR with nano- and micro-TiO2 filler
percentages
according to the experimental values of dielectric strength in
Tables 3 and 4.
composites samples: Elongation at break is the ratio between
increased length and initial length after breakage of the tested
specimen.
The elongation at break of the micro- and nano-TiO2/SiR
composites is shown in Fig. 7.
It can be investigated from Fig. 7 that 40% micro-TiO2 sample
has the lowest value of elongation at break. The elongation at break
increases from 453.77 to 529.10%. Compared to the micro-TiO2,
nano-TiO2 filled composites present more to improve elongation at

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Fig. 7  Elongation at break of SiR with nano- and micro-TiO2 filler
percentages
break. A small amount of nano-TiO2 added into SiR increase the
crosslinking density of the SiR, meanwhile increase the elongation
at break.
4 Conclusion
The following conclusions can be drawn from this work:
i. The addition of fillers to SiR improves the dielectric strength
of the polymer composites.
ii. The dielectric strength of TiO2/SiR composites decreased in
wet, low salty wet, and high salty wet conditions as compared
with those in dry conditions.
iii. Electrical properties of SiR composite loaded with TiO2 are
reliable at 5 wt% nanoscale and have better dielectric strength
than micro-TiO2 composites.
iv. FFNN provides accurate results at different conditions.
v. Using the FFNN technique reduces the high cost of multiple
experiments and materials.
vi. Finally, the nanoscale of TiO2 filler is recommended in
manufacturing the polymeric composite material in filler
concentration with a percentage of 5 wt% to improve electrical
and mechanical properties.
5 Acknowledgments
The authors express their sincere thanks to the Electrical
Engineering Department in Ain Shams and Aswan Universities,
High Voltage Laboratory staff, National Research Centre (Polymer
and Pigments Department), and National Institute of Standards
(NIS), where most of the sample preparation and experimental
work were performed.
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