The field of insulation materials for power equipment is undergoing an environmental transformation and ushering in key technological breakthroughs. Domestic research institutions have made important progress in using 3D printing technology to manufacture high-performance electrical insulation components. The study used fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology and polycarbonate (PC) as raw material to successfully prepare support insulators with excellent performance. Tests show that its key electrical properties (such as flashover voltage and partial discharge initiation voltage) have comprehensively surpassed traditional epoxy resin insulation materials. This technology provides a new idea for solving the industry pain point that thermosetting materials are difficult to recycle, and opens up a new path for the low-carbon transformation of power grids.
In-depth research shows that by optimizing printing process parameters (such as specific slicing directions), 3D printed PC parts can still maintain excellent insulation properties in high temperature environments, including high volume resistivity, stable dielectric constant and extremely low dielectric loss. More importantly, the optimized process can significantly improve the electrical strength of the components, bringing them close to the level of traditional hot-pressed PC materials. Further surface treatment processes have also been proven to effectively improve their voltage resistance.
This technology is accelerating towards industrial application. In the field of high-end manufacturing, 3D printing PC mold technology has shown significant advantages, especially in the molding of composite parts in industries with high requirements for rapid iteration such as racing, which can effectively shorten the product development cycle and reduce production costs. In the field of medical health, domestic modified PC materials have also made important progress in withstanding gamma ray sterilization. Through special material modification technology, the color stability of PC materials after irradiation is effectively improved, so that it can meet the stringent requirements of sterile packaging for medical products such as disposable surgical instruments.
With the in-depth promotion of the country’s “dual carbon” strategy, the demand for environmentally friendly high-performance materials is growing. Environmentally friendly PC materials have broad application prospects in the fields of power equipment insulation, high-end medical equipment packaging, etc., and their market penetration is expected to continue to increase. With their comprehensive advantages and cost competitiveness, domestic materials are expected to play a key role in this process and accelerate the popularization and substitution of related applications.
