Evaluation of dielectric strength of SiR/TiO2 composites using feed-forward neural network

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.