Developing of quartz-based porcelain for high-voltage electric insulators

Abstract

The fabrication technology of high-voltage ceramic insulators was traditionally developed by using quartz-based porcelain compositions. The objective of this work was to develop an IEC 672 C–110 quartz-based ceramic body for high-voltage insulators according to IEC 672 C–120. Thus, a reference industrial formulation was compared with two other alternative formulations, which show higher alumina and lower free quartz contents. The milling step was also optimized related to time and residue. The raw materials were characterized by XRF and XRD. Ceramic bodies were characterized by laser diffraction and, after firing process, by XRD and SEM. The sintered samples show mechanical strength of about 70 MPa for the standard ceramic body and 100-110 MPa for the alternative ones. The quartz-based ceramic bodies (IEC 672 C–110) developed are in good agreement with the IEC 672 C–120 international standard.