Investigation of mechanical and dielectric properties in variable oriented glass fiber reinforced insulators

In this study, the variation in mechanical and electrical performance of sand-filled, glass-fiber–reinforced composite insulators with different fiber orientations were investigated as a function of fiber layup. Unlike most studies in literature which typically examine sand-filled or fixed-orientation insulators, this thesis implements diversified laminations (0°, 90°, ±45°, ±90°). The aim is to elucidate how fiber architecture affects both mechanical strength and dielectric properties. In the fabrication process, the fibre volume fraction was kept constant, and specimens were prepared using the hand lay-up method. Tensile and bending tests were conducted to evaluate the impact of fibre orientation on fracture behaviour in critical regions, providing data for designing more robust and compact insulator configurations. In addition, the insulator structures were modelled in a computer environment using the finite element method (FEA), allowing for a detailed analysis of stress distributions and mechanical responses associated with different fibre orientations. Additionally, the effect of variable fibre orientation on the dielectric performance of the insulators was assessed through meger test, applied voltage and partial discharge tests. The results were validated by Maxwell analysis.