Summary
Epoxy resins are widely used in electrical insulation and high-performance applications due to their excellent thermal, mechanical, and dielectric properties. In recent years, bio-based epoxy resins have gained attention as sustainable alternatives to conventional fossil-derived systems, offering reduced environmental impact while maintaining functional performance. This study investigates the potential of bio-based epoxy formulations for high-voltage insulation applications, benchmarked against petrochemical-derived systems. The bio-based resins, cured with anhydride hardeners, were fully compatible with standard casting and impregnation. DSC showed similar reaction enthalpies (200–230 J/g) and Tg (115–117 °C), while DMA revealed comparable storage moduli (G′) and Tα (135.5 °C), with slightly lower loss modulus (G″) and narrower tan δ peaks, indicating reduced energy dissipation and more homogeneous relaxation.
Read more Read lessDielectric properties were evaluated over a broad frequency and temperature range. The biobased epoxy generally exhibited lower relative permittivity and dielectric loss (tan δ), with the largest differences observed at low and high frequencies, suggesting reduced dipolar polarization and fewer active relaxation mechanisms. Both systems exhibited low dielectric losses (tan δ = 0.002–0.005 below Tg). At elevated temperatures, the bio-based system displayed a delayed and more gradual increase in tan δ, indicating improved dielectric and thermal stability. Dielectric breakdown testing and Weibull analysis further demonstrated superior performance of the bio-based system, with characteristic strengths η = 43.34– 44.35 kV/mm versus 38.90–41.69 kV/mm and shape parameters β = 14.6–16.2 versus 9.3–11.5.
Overall, the bio-based epoxy network combines comparable thermal and mechanical performance with improved dielectric stability and uniformity, highlighting its potential as a sustainable, high-performance alternative for industrial electrical insulation.
Additional informations
| Publication type | Session Materials |
|---|---|
| Reference | D1_12251_2026 |
| Publication year | |
| Publisher | CIGRE |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Study committees | |
| File size | 1 MB |
| Price for non member | 30 € |
| Price for member | 30 € |
Authors
LUTZ Vincent - MGC Moser Glaser AG Switzerland; LUO Zheyao - MGC Moser Glaser AG Switzerland; FERDJALLAH Esseddik - MGC Moser Glaser AG Switzerland; STOECKLI Marcel - ELECTROSUISSE / CIGRE Switzerland NC Secretary
Keywords
