Advanced High-Voltage Polymer Insulation Materials: Modification, Aging, Discharge Resistance and Thermo-Mechanical Reliability

High-voltage insulation materials are enabling components in power equipment, power electronics, transportation electrification and aerospace applications. Polymer dielectrics and their composites, such as epoxy resins, silicone rubber, polyimide, fiber-reinforced laminates and oil-paper or solid-liquid insulation systems, are increasingly required to operate under higher electric fields, wider temperature ranges and stronger thermo-mechanical constraints. Their long-term reliability is governed not only by intrinsic dielectric strength, but also by interfacial compatibility, partial discharge, thermal aging, chemical degradation, and stress-induced cracking. Recent advances in nanofiller design, fiber reinforcement, surface functionalization, curing control, multiscale characterization and simulation provide new opportunities to develop insulation materials with improved dielectric, thermal and mechanical performance.This Research Topic aims to gather recent progress in the design, modification, degradation analysis and reliability improvement of high-voltage insulation materials. The central problem is how to establish clear structure-processing-property-performance relationships for dielectric materials exposed to coupled electrical, thermal, mechanical and environmental stresses. Particular attention will be paid to the links between molecular structure, filler/polymer interfaces, microdefects, trap distributions, space charge behavior and macroscopic insulation failure. We welcome studies that move beyond phenomenological performance comparison and provide mechanistic understanding of aging, discharge, breakdown, surface erosion, cracking and thermal-mechanical degradation. Contributions may combine experimental testing, chemical and morphological characterization, molecular dynamics, finite-element or multiphysics modeling, data-driven diagnosis, and accelerated aging methods. The ultimate objective is to support the development of insulation systems with higher breakdown strength, discharge resistance, dimensional stability, crack resistance and service lifetime.This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Reviews, Methods and Perspectives addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Polymer and composite insulation materials for AC, DC and impulse applications.• Interface engineering, nanofiller modification, fiber reinforcement and surface functionalization for dielectric performance enhancement.• Aging mechanisms under electrical, thermal, mechanical, chemical and multi-stress environments.• Partial discharge, electrical treeing, surface flashover and space charge accumulation.• Thermo-mechanical reliability, including thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion, cracking and interfacial delamination.• Multiscale characterization, molecular simulation, finite-element modeling and data-driven approaches for insulation degradation and lifetime prediction. Topic editors: Fei Yin, Chen Chen Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82991/advanced-high-voltage-polymer-insulation-materials-modification-aging-discharge-resistance-and-thermo-mechanical-reliability