Caracterização físico-química de materiais baseados em celulose

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2008

RESUMO

Switching cutout devices are electrical circuit breakers which protect electric power distribution webs against lightning discharges. Switching cutout devices main parts are the fuse links in which a fuse element, a special metallic alloy, melts due to the generated heat when struck by electric discharges. When such melting occurs, and the breaker opens, an intense electric arc is formed between the two end points. Such electric arc may cause a huge deterioration of power transmission systems as well as that of electronic equipment. In order to quench the electric arc, involving the fuse element, there is a tube made of a high density cellulose material denominated "vulcanized" fiber, which is ablated by the high heat generated by atmospheric discharges, and instantly generates gases, both in volume and chemical composition, capable of forming in a fraction of second and by means of an endothermic process that cools down the medium, a non-ionizable atmosphere that prevents the propagation of the electric arc. An imported "vulcanized" fiber is used by all manufacturers of fuse links in Brazil. In order to search for a national cellulose material to replace the "vulcanized" fiber showing the same effectiveness in arc quenching, a systematical physical-chemical characterization was carried out, involving both the imported material as well as a number of other cellulose materials selected in the Brazilian market, by means of elementary analysis techniques, XRD, FTIR, C CP/MAS NMR and SEM. The results evidenced that national cellulose materials with high percentage of alpha cellulose present a great similarity to that of the "vulcanized" fiber. Furthermore, in performance tests concerning the electric arc quenching, such materials proved to have great potential in replacing that imported material.

ASSUNTO(S)

materiais dieletricos e propriedades dieletricas physical properties cellulose chemical properties polymers materiais celulose materials propriedades físicas propriedades químicas fusíveis elétricos electric fuses

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