Thermal Properties of DGEBHA/MDA/SN/zeolite System Degraded by Moisture Absorption

Cured epoxy resins are extensively used for the electrical insulation in high-voltage equipments. The bisphenol A-based epoxy resins lured with azine show, especially, good thermal properties and mechanical resistances. For the technical and economic reasons, varing amount of inorganic fillers are added to endow the required special properties. In the large generators and motors of power plants, epoxy insulation is disclosed to the harsh conditions like the superheated steam and abrupt temperature variation. Hygrothermal aging at elevated temperatures tends to induce degradation in epoxy resins. To predict the effect of this degradation in DGEBA/MDA/SN/zeolite system, we proceeded the forced moisture absorption experiment using the autoclave. The thermal properties of the untreated and treated specimens were analyzed by DSC and TGA under the nitrogen flowing condition. The moisture absorption results showed a weight increase during hygrothermal aging at 1207. At the initial aging period, the system leaded to more or less postcuring but more prolonged environmental aging leaded the discoloration of specimen and lowering the T$_{g}$./.