Abstract
This paper describes the evaluation of the aging process of some polymeric painting materials subjected to a thermal treatment in electro insulating fluids, based on natural esters (vegetable oils). The paint layers surface morphology was comparatively characterized by FESEM technique, prior to the exposure, and after 1000 h of exposure to vegetable oil, heated at 130oC. The results show a substantial increase in the pulling resistances for all the painting materials subjected to this investigation, especially in the presence of the Kraft insulating paper and copper foil (inserted compulsory to emulate the actual working environment), due to an increase in the painting material adhesion, as well as an increase of the tensile strength of the paint layer. These findings may open new theoretical and practical research prospects, particularly in the field of preliminary treatments for materials used for heavy duty industrial transformers.
Keywords: paint aging; thermal treatment; natural esters; paint pulling resistance; paint tensile strength