Abstract: | Dielectric breakdown phenomena by electrical treeing deterioration was investigated in the new epoxy resin system DGEBA/MDA/SN filled with Al2O3. As the filler content increased, the maximum electric field at breakdown increased and then decreased with increase of defects such as voids, impurities and delamination or peeling between filler and matrix. As the electrode separation increased, the breakdown voltage increased, but the breakdown strength decreased and then saturated to 17 kV/mm. Also, the maximum electric field at the tip when the system was failed increased. The electrical tree initiated from the side of the needle electrode was not from the tip where the reinforced field is the highest. The electrical tree was blocked by the filler. The interface condition of filler and polymer matrix played an important role in the electrical treeing resistance. The final breakdown phenomena showed fan-type crack as observed in the non-filled system. |