CRP’s Windform exhibits excellent electrical insulation performance

3D printing service bureau, CRP Technology has announced that its glass fibre-reinforced Windform thermoplastic composites for selective laser sintering (SLS) has demonstrated outstanding electrical insulation performance as confirmed by recent dielectric constant and dielectric strength tests.

These tests have revealed remarkable results exhibiting a dielectric constant of approximately 4 and withstanding peak voltages of at least 2.5kV/mm.

Renowned for their exceptional mechanical and thermal properties, Windform composites have undergone rigorous dielectric constant and dielectric strength tests, essential for evaluating material electrical performance, particularly in applications requiring electrical insulation. In today's automotive industry - characterised by hybrid or fully electric vehicles - the use of insulating plastic materials is paramount due to the reliance of the entire propulsion system on electricity.

The dielectric constant, often denoted by the symbol epsilon zero, is a fundamental constant in physics that represents a material’s ability to resist the formation of an electric field within it.

During the test, the glass fibre-reinforced Windform thermoplastic composites Windform LX 3.0, Windform GT, and Windform FR2 exhibited a dielectric constant close to 4, with Windform LX 3.0 and FR2 slightly above 4, and Windform GT slightly below. The tests were conducted at the standard frequency of 1kHz.

The dielectric strength test evaluated the maximum electric potential difference the materials can withstand before conducting electricity. Windform LX 3.0, Windform GT, and Windform FR2 demonstrated exceptional performance, enduring peak voltages of at least 2.5kV/mm without any signs of deterioration. Specimens with a thickness of approximately 1.6mm were subjected to sinusoidal voltages alternating at 50Hz and amplitudes up to 4,000V without discharge.

These results are significant for electrical applications, where maintaining a dielectric constant around 4 is crucial, especially in fully electric vehicles with high voltage. Insulating plastic materials play a vital role in ensuring safety, efficiency, and proper operation of the electrical system. Examples include battery housings, power converter housings, cooling and air conditioning system components, and charging connector housings.

The ability of glass fibre-reinforced Windform thermoplastic composites to withstand voltages of at least 2.5kV/mm ensures reliability and safety in environments with high electrical voltages, such as in the electric power and telecommunications sectors. Windform thermoplastic composites emerge as an excellent choice for applications demanding high-quality electrical performance and reliability.

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