Impact of Corona Aging On the Morphology and Functional Properties of Silicone Rubber BN Nanocomposites
摘要
This study investigates the impact of corona aging on the morphology, thermal stability, and electrical performance of silicone rubber–boron nitride (BN) nanocomposites used in high-voltage insulation applications. Nanocomposites containing varying BN loadings were prepared and subjected to controlled corona discharge to assess degradation behavior. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) revealed that BN incorporation mitigates surface degradation and reduces roughness, while phase imaging confirmed enhanced nanoscale mechanical stability and partial recovery after aging. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) showed that S0 silicone rubber undergoes significant reductions in onset and peak degradation temperatures and activation energy after corona exposure, whereas BN-filled samples retain higher thermal stability, indicating improved heat dissipation and structural integrity. Electrical characterization using Schottky emission analysis demonstrated that corona aging lowers the barrier height and promotes charge injection in S0 samples, while nanocomposites exhibit minimal change, confirming their superior dielectric resilience. Overall, the results highlight that BN nanofillers effectively enhance the corona aging resistance of silicone rubber by improving its morphological, thermal, and electrical stability, thereby extending its reliability in long-term insulation applications.