Uneven Aging Characteristics and Mechanism of a 1 000 kV GIS Composite Bushing under Live Operating Conditions
Qiao Xinhan1, Meng Haoran1, Qian Cong2, Ye Wenyu1, Zhang Zhijin3
1. School of Electrical Engineering China University of Mining and Technology Xuzhou 221008 China;
2. State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Company Nantong Power Supply Company Nantong 226007 China;
3. Xuefeng Mountain Energy Equipment Safety National Observation and Research Station Chongqing University Chongqing 400044 China
Uneven aging of silicone rubber sheaths is a critical reliability concern for ultra-high-voltage gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) composite bushings operating under long-term live conditions. In service environments, the sheath is simultaneously subjected to non-uniform electric fields and multiple environmental stresses, resulting in position-dependent degradation that cannot be adequately explained by single-factor accelerated aging tests or individual aging indicators. To clarify the axial uneven aging characteristics and underlying mechanisms of high-temperature vulcanized (HTV) silicone rubber, this study investigates a 1 000 kV GIS composite bushing retired after eight years of continuous live operation by combining electric field simulation with multi-dimensional material characterization.
A two-dimensional electrostatic field model of the 1 000 kV GIS composite bushing was established using COMSOL Multiphysics. The model incorporates the main structural components of the bushing, including the central conductor, inner and outer grading shields, the insulating rod, the silicone rubber sheath, and surrounding structures. Grid independence was verified, and the axial electric field distribution along the sheath surface and bulk regions was obtained under rated operating voltage. Based on the simulation results, four representative positions were selected for sampling: the equipment terminal, the grading shield-insulating rod interface, a reference position in the middle section, and the line terminal. Both bulk and shed samples were collected at each position, yielding eight representative HTV silicone rubber specimens.
The aging state of the samples was evaluated using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). These techniques were used to characterize surface morphology, elemental composition, chemical bond degradation, and thermal decomposition behavior, respectively, enabling a multi-dimensional assessment of material aging.
Simulation results reveal a strongly non-uniform axial electric field distribution along the bushing sheath. The maximum electric field strength reaches 6.31 kV·cm-1 in the bulk material at the grading shield-insulating rod interface, while the minimum value of 0.50 kV·cm-1 is observed at the reference position, yielding a difference of 5.81 kV·cm-1. Experimental results are consistent with this electrical stress distribution. SEM observations show the most severe surface cracking and micro-defects on the bulk sample from the equipment terminal. EDS analysis of this sample indicates reduced O, Si, and Al contents and increased C content, attributed to the barrier effect of nano-fillers and the migration of low-molecular-weight compounds. FTIR results confirm that this sample exhibits the highest bond breakage rates, with Si-C, Si-O-Si, and -CH3 degradation reaching 36.8%, 35.5%, and 86.8%, respectively. Based on the combined indicators, the overall aging severity follows the order: Sample 1 > Sample 6 > Sample 7 > Sample 8 > Sample 2 > Sample 4 > Sample 3 > Sample 5.
Thermogravimetric analysis shows that aging severity and thermal stability do not exhibit a monotonic relationship. The most severely aged sample presents a higher 5% weight loss temperature (306.2 °C) and a higher second-stage decomposition peak temperature (489.6 °C) than some less-aged samples, indicating the coexistence of competing degradation mechanisms involving molecular chain scission and cross-linking under long-term multi-stress conditions.
The results indicate that uneven aging of HTV silicone rubber sheaths in 1 000 kV GIS composite bushings is primarily governed by axial electric field non-uniformity, synergistically coupled with environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation, temperature fluctuation, humidity, and pollution. Bulk regions at the equipment and line terminals experience more severe aging than sheds due to electric field distortion, partial discharge, and intensified thermal cycling, whereas in the middle section, shed samples degrade more severely because of direct environmental exposure. The findings confirm that single aging indicators are insufficient for evaluating the service state of silicone rubber and that multi-dimensional assessment is required for field-aged ultra-high-voltage insulation components.
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