Abstract Mineral insulating oil (MIO) and natural ester insulating (NEI) oil are used in power transformers as an insulating fluid, while elastomeric seals are usually composed of nitrile rubber (NBR). The proprieties of these seals can change in contact with insulating oil. Variation in sealant properties is undesirable in power transformers. In this work, the variation of some elastomer properties was evaluated before and after accelerated aging in MIO and NEI. The developed elastomeric compositions showed variation in the stress and strain at break after the aging test. It also appeared that MIO penetrated the samples and that dioctylphthalate (DOP) migrated or was extracted into MIO and NEI. The samples vulcanized with peroxide showed better results than those vulcanized with sulfur.

ABSTRACT Power transformers are essential equipment in the electric energy generation and distribution processes and are usually chosen with paper and insulating fluids. Insulating fluids have a dual function of insulation and heat exchange. Proper sealing of this equipment is essential to prevent leaks of the insulating fluid, which can cause a reduction in the life of the transformer, as well as environmental problems. Different compositions were formulated in nitrile rubber (NBR) compatible with those used as seals in power transformers, with different acrylonitrile contents (35 and 44%) and dicumyl peroxide (6.0 / 8.0 and 10.0 phr). The aging tests were conducted systematically under three conditions: insulating mineral oil (IMO), insulating natural ester (INE) soy and corn, traditionally used as insulating fluid in power transformers. The effects of the thermal aging of nitrile rubber on IMO and ENI, as well as the effects of the cross-linking content of the chains were studied using characterization methods such as oscillating disk rheometry, swelling, variation in mass, volume and Shore A hardness. The density of crosslinks and the average molar mass between the links were also determined by the Flory-Rehner theory. Changes in physical properties during the aging process were analyzed and compared. It was possible to observe a different behavior in the sealing elastomers when aged in IMO and ENI influenced by the crosslinks and acrylonitrile contents in the samples.

RESUMO Os transformadores de potência são equipamentos essenciais nos processos de geração e distribuição de energia elétrica, e são, normalmente, isolados com papel e fluidos isolantes. Os fluidos isolantes têm dupla função: isolamento elétrico do sistema refrigeração por troca térmica. A vedação adequada desse equipamento é fundamental para que não ocorra vazamento do fluido isolante, que pode causar redução do tempo de vida útil do transformador, bem como problemas ambientais. Neste artigo são apresentados resultados obtidos para formulações de borracha nitrílica (NBR) preparadas com diferentes concentrações de peróxido de dicumila 40% em Carbonato de cálcio (6,0/ 8,0 e 10,0 phr) e teores de acrilonitrila (35 e 44%). Os ensaios de envelhecimento foram conduzidos sistematicamente sob três condições: óleo mineral isolante (OMI), éster natural isolante (ENI) soja e milho, tradicionalmente empregados como fluido isolante nos transformadores de potência. Os efeitos do envelhecimento térmico da NBR em OMI e ENI, bem como os efeitos na formação das ligações cruzadas das cadeias foram estudados usando métodos de caracterização como reometria de disco oscilatório, inchamento em solvente, variação de massa, volume e dureza Shore A. Também foi determinada a densidade de ligações cruzadas e a massa molar média entre as ligações pela teoria de Flory-Rehner. Foi possível observar um comportamento diferente nos elastômeros de vedação quando envelhecidas em OMI e ENI influenciado pelo teor de ligações cruzadas e de acrilonitrila das amostras.