Impact of Quartz on Lifetime of High Strength Porcelains

The lifetime of the high voltage insulators is of more actuality than ever as we are experiencing the biggest electrification campaign since the development of ceramic alumina porcelain insulators in 70’s and 80’s. The world is now moving to sustainable energy sources, which will deeply impact energy generation and distribution in the coming years. At the same time, the existing transmission lines are reaching an age where replacement is going to be required, probably sooner than later.

The estimated remaining lifetime of installed insulators has been studied for years, but recently more and more researchers have been studying this question, mostly in close collaboration with operating energy companies.

These studies  have defined four main aging mechanisms:

a) expansion of the cement,

b) corrosion of the metal parts,

c) mechanical and electrical stresses on the insulators core

d) drying out bitumen.

Resistance against mechanical and electrical stresses is related to the microstructure of the ceramic insulators.

This study, which was prepared and presented at the INMR 2022 World congress by Markku Ruokanen, PPC Group Quality and Research & Development Director,  will be focusing on the ceramic insulator’s microstructure and resistance against mechanical stresses.

Learn more here: Impact of Quartz INMR 2022