Dissolving and Regeneration of meta-Aramid Paper: Converting Loose Structure into Consolidated Networks with Enhanced Mechanical and Insulation Properties

Aramid paper has been widely used in high-voltage motors and transformers due to its excellent insulation property and thermal durability. However, the smoothness and chemical inertness of aramid fibers lead to a loose structure (voids) of aramid paper, which limits its potential applications in harsh environments, such as high-frequency and high-voltage circuits. This work reports a simple and efficient method to improve the mechanical and insulation properties of meta-aramid paper via controllable dissolving and regeneration of aramid fibers. To obtain a dense and robust structure, the pristine meta-aramid paper was immersed in a dimethyl sulfoxide/potassium hydroxide (DMSO/KOH) mixture to make aramid fibers swelled and dissolved, followed by regeneration in water vapor, eventually generating densified aramid paper with fewer voids and enhanced insulation and mechanical performance. Optimum conditions resulted in aramid paper with the best comprehensive performance, and the tensile strength, Young's modulus, and electrical breakdown strength of the consolidated aramid paper were 22.85 MPa, 0.72 GPa, and 15.3 kV/mm, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the pristine aramid paper (12.53 MPa, 0.41 GPa, and 8.36 kV/mm). Meanwhile, such treatment did not cause any chemical structure change, and thus it still retained the excellent thermal resistance (T_d > 430 °C) of aramid fibers. This simple method can effectively regulate the surface porosity and the mechanical and breakdown strength of aramid paper, as well as provide a generic method for postprocessing and enhancing aramid paper.