ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF NEOPRENE * Fenrx L. Yerzugy! E. 1 pu Powr pz Nawours & Company, Inc, Winamvarow, Dau. This review is based on data selected from tests conducted over a period of years, Under the circumstances it does not happen that identical Neoprene was used throughout. Several types are referred to in the compounds. Each group of tests is consistent within itself, but direct comparison from group to group is not justified. Neither do exact values within a group have indi- vidual merit, but the trends of electrical quantities with controlled changes of the variable under study are of primary importance. In general, numerical values reported are the average of results obtained on two samples, but all conclusions have been confirmed by numerous parallel and related tests. Unless otherwise specified, tests were made at 82° F, after the samples had been dried in a desicoator for at least 16 hours. Conventional methods* were used. For all tests except those on dielectric strength, tinfoil electrodes 0.001 inch thick, adhered to the test slab by a thin film of petrolatum, were utilized, The test-specimens were usually 6 X 6 X 0.075 inch, except for occasional samples which were approximately 0.020 inch thick. In the casg of the direct- current resistivity test, the upper electrode was » 3-inch-diameter disk of tin- foil surrounded by a guard ring. The lower electrode was a 6-inch square of tinfoil. ‘The Leeds & Northrup test set consisted of a sensitive galvanometer and an Ayrton’ shunt. An alternating-current bridge was used for measure- ments of conducting stocks. For the tests of power factor and dielectric con- stant, the upper electrode was a 3-inch-diameter disk of tinfoil, without a guard ring. The lower electrode was a 6-inch square of tinfoil. General radio equipment was utilized, consisting of a type-716A capacitance bridge, complete with the necessary auxiliaries. A telephone headset was used for detection of null points. All tests reported here were conducted at frequencies of 1000 cycles per second, For the determination of dielectric strength, an American Transformer Public Utility test set, type-TS, having a secondary voltage range from 100 to 50,000 volts was used. The electrodes were of the standard A.8.7.M. type’. Ordinarily the test-specimens were about 0.020 inch thick and 6 inches square, The voltage across the electrodes was gradually increased until break- down occurred, The gauge was then measured adjacent to the punctured spot, and the voltage and dielectric strength were calculated by dividing the value of the voltage by this gauge. EARLY DATA Early published information on the electrical properties of Neoprene ap- peared in 1936*. Results from this report are given in Table I. It is immediately evident that the resistivities of all three compounds were distinctly low in comparison with that of rubber insulation, which ordinarily has a value approximating 10 ohm-cm. Also, the dielectric constant for all three compounds was high in comparison with that for most rubber insulation. = from Induatral ond Bron Vol, 85. No. 3, pages 380-898, March 1948. ponpeed im od before the Bivelon of Rubber Chemistry at ho today Seating of the Amotions Chention Society, Atlantio City. NJ. 699700 RUBBER CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY Taste I Earty Dara on Taree Nzoprens Comounps Compound No. ‘760D-1 ‘750D-3 ‘750D-5 Neoprene (’ E) 100 100 100 Extrorlight eal ined magnesia a 10 a Phenyhg-naphthylamine oe 2 2 Salwar ca ! i 1 Zine oxide . 10 i Litharge : : 20 Cure at 307° F (min.) 60 20 20 Electrics] properties D.C. resistivity (ohm-em.) 2.2 x 10° 3.1 10" 9.0 x 104 Dielectric constant 8.2 73 72 Dielectric strength (volts per mil) 380 860 720 Both of these trends were distinctly unfavorable from the standpoint of insu- lation. On the other hand, the values for dielectric strength, except for un- compounded vuleanizate 750D-1, were roughly comparable with rubber. The results make it desirable to survey the possible methods of improving the electrical properties of Neoprene which follow: 1, Compounding with litharge. . Purifying the crude Neoprene. . Including carbon black in the formula as an absorber for electrolytes. . Including large amounts of superior insulating substances. . Mixing with rubber insulation to provide a compromise between the elec- trical properties of rubber and the superior mechanical and chemical properties of Neoprene. Conditioning treatments of vulcanized Neoprene to improve its electrical properties. Adjusting the cure. Modifying the Neoprene polymer. oper = ae COMPOUNDING WITH LITHARGE Litharge is superior to magnesium oxide and to zine oxide as a curing agent for Neoprene insulation. For example, the data of Table I show a pronounced difference in favor of litharge. It is probable that the reaction between litharge and the degradation products of Neoprene forms salts with lower dissociation constants in the presence of moisture than have the corresponding salts of zine and magnesium. ‘The higher resistivity of litharge compounds is attributed primarily to this factor. In addition to the advantage of litharge electrically, Neoprene compositions containing it are definitely less combustible than com- positions containing zine oxide. PURIFICATION OF CRUDE NEOPRENE As various tests have shown, the amounts of chlorine-bearing electrolytes that might be suspected in normal Neoprene compounds are difficult to detect by chemical means. Yet the possibility remains that they may be present in sufficient amount to cause the inferior electrical characteristics of untreated Neoprene. With this possibility in mind, a sample of Neoprene Type E was extracted by acetone and then washed with water. This specially purifiedELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF NEOPRENE 701 Neoprene was compounded and teated for electrical characteristics in the following formula: Courouwy 1833N-112 Purified Neoprene (Type E) 100 eve calcined wiguoca 3 FF wood rosin 5 Flee-naphtiylanin a D.C. resistivity (ohm-cm.) 2.8 x 108 Dielectric constant 738 Power factor (percentage) 1.25 The improvement in resistivity as the result of purification was substantial; it was also suggested by Kemp*, Although the dielectric constant was not greatly changed, the power factor was relatively low in comparison with con- temporary tests of unpurified Neoprene specimens, Washing with acetone, however, is not practical from a production standpoint and, at the time of these tests, it could only be hoped that advances in the technique of Neoprene production would result in improved electrical properties. INCLUSION OF CARBON BLACK ‘The practice with certain types of rubber insulation is to include moderate amounts of carbon black in the formula as an absorber for impurities and electrolytes’. The possibility of following a similar procedure for Neoprene was investigated in the stocks shown in Table II. Tasue II Erect or Carson Buack on Formuta 1333N (Curmp 40 Minutes av 307° F) ‘Formula 1933N- 87 88 80 20 a Neoprene (Ty; 100 100 100 100 100 (eine magnesia 3 3 3 3 3 Fi wood tosin 5 5 5 5 5 Semireinforcing black wee 3 10 20 30 Phenyl-g-naphthylamine 2 2 2 2 2 Sulfur 1 1 1 1 1 Litharge 20 20 20 20 20 Electrical properties of dry slabs 63X10" 6.410" 6.510" . resistivity (ohm-cm.) 4.910" 5,210" 714 8.43 lectrie constant 972 18.28 17.88 Power factor (percentage) 21 21 28 41 Loss factor 0.16 0:20 0.30 O71 Although the improvement in power factor and resistivity is slight for the compound containing 3 parts of carbon black, the trend appears to be favor- able. On the other hand, the dielectric constant increased and, as a conse- quence, the logs factor increased by the inclusion of even this small amount of carbon black. For ordinary applications of ingulation, the lose factor is not of prime importance. It may be preferable in many cases to make a sacrifice with respect to loss factor to increase the value of the resistivity. However as the quantity of black is increased, the loss factor increases out of all propor- tion to the gain in resis As a consequence, it appears advisable to limit i carbon black content of insulating compounds to about 5 parts of carbon ck, meRUBBER CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY 702 0 10085 890] eT (eBequa0Ied) 1o985 JoMog xXos 10) 99 (-ao-unjo) Suan Sd ; OT rs te PARRA “ sorpodord pwouyooygy or 96 oh og s g i (os-gegt) seqaner sai ¢ A os SL 6 oor (O1Z-Neest) euesdoa Ny os-geet ‘9T@-Neeet ¥ig-Neest eie-Neeet eIg-Neeer Ti¢-Neeer ote-Neset -Neeer MOT SHMMIAIY WAEEAY-aNaeAOTN 40 SUITUEAONY TWoIMLOTTY AL S1aVy, ‘0 ar 19 nOEX FE = AOI X FE = OLX FS = OLX OT = OT X OG — ad) -wogtodnus0 0001 1V « “(QO partons) aanoes Jo apusd [roads Y » ogo 910085 SOT se (eBeyaa010d) 410798; OMOg 8eL <306]SUOO OENDOTIC. X€9 nOLXTE nO Xs nOl X21 — (Cuto-wuyo) Apansisor “O'q 0 8G 48 10,wooISep tL sXep 1 10q78 soryrodoad pooysoo or or or or or or or or or aprxo ourz, or E a 7 r a Hy i oe eat sooo, z z z a oe ge a Bi a. sunmeyAqaydeu-¢-| od Wo jeroury, soqqns peoMT © ep uaox) ca so oe nt santa ¢ ¢ g ¢ uasox dad or or or or OL ‘eysoueur pouppEo wba oor OOr oor 00T 00r (q edky) ouardooyy 308 208 908 ¥08 e0¢ zoe 108 002 -Neeer FMENOT (a 0208 LY SMLONIWY OF GmUAD-ssaUG) NELET VIMO, NO SIVIMELYY ONTLVIOSN] do Loma U1 F18v, 9¢'0 8z'0 oe re 198 OFS oT anELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF NEOPRENE 703 INCLUSION OF INSULATING MATERIAL The effect of various materials is shown in Table III, based on Neoprene Type E compounded with magnesium oxide and zine oxide, Although higher values for the resistivity would have resulted by compounding with litharge, it was thought that the effects of the fillers would be demonstrated at least as well in the zine oxide formulation. ‘The inorganic fillers were compared on an equal basis of 40 volumes per 100 volumes of Neoprene. The organic fillers were used in amounts approaching the maximum permissible in a practical formulation. Control formula 1333N-200 is inferior in all insulating properties with the exception of one value for resistivity, three for dielectric constant, and one for power factor. In a general way it is interesting to note that the dc. re- sistivity is increased by compounding with inert, inorganic fillers, but that these increase the dielectric constant. All other materials except cottonseed oil increase the dc. resistivity, decrease the dielectric constant and power factor. It is possible that the cottonseed oil used in this test was of an inferior grade electrically and that the results are not necessarily typical of this process- ing material. It is also obvious that, with the exception of the stock containing cottonseed oil, the loss factor for all compounds is lower than that of the control stock. : INCLUSION OF NATURAL RUBBER Rubber itself is » possible compounding ingredient for Neoprene, and the following two compositions were blended by weight in the amounts indicated in Table IV to determine its possibilities. Slabs were press-cured 40 minutes at 287° F: Comroomm 1333-210 Compounn 1339-50 Neoprene (Type GW) 100 Smoked sheet 100 Catalpo clay 100 Zine oxide 78 Blane fixe 7 oy oe a oe _ jum-process oi jenyl--naphthylamine Cottonseed oil 5 Paraifin 5 Semireinforeing black 5 Litharge 10 5 Accelerators 04 Sulfur 3 Phony naphehylam 2 eny!-6-naphtl jine Litharge 20 *90% sine salt of mereaptobensothiazole and 10% di-o-tolylguanidine. The results indicate a progressive improvement in insulating properties as the percentage of rubber is increased. On the other hand, the improvement is most rapid for rubber contents of more than 50 per cent. There may be many possibilities in the future for insulating mixtures of Neoprene and rubber, where greater resistance is required to heat, sunlight, oil, and flame than is possible with rubber alone. The advantages of Neoprene are gradually lost, however, as the percentage of rubber is increased, and the present mixtures with rubber appear to be an impractical way of improving the electrical prop- erties of Neoprene. CONDITIONING TREATMENTS Three practical compounding approaches to the insulation problem are offered by the foregoing. They are inclusion of carbon black, activation with litharge, snd inclusion of proper insulating materials. The combination of these principles in a practical formula for wire insulation is exemplified by the following composition:704 RUBBER CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY Compounn 1833N-209 Neoprene @ 100 a. 8 Partin 3 Medium, 88 oil 5 Semireinforcing ‘oluek 5 ae i Compound 1833N-209 was extruded as 3/64-inch wall insulation No. 14, solid AWG tinned copper wire; the following history of resistance per 1000 fect of wire indicates possibilities in conditioning treatments for Neoprene- insulated wire: a Tepe ; ae etme ce MRR 1 Original immersed in water 29 1B. 5 2 After 24-hr. immersion 2 28 3 Plus 30 min. at 1500 volts 29 9.2 4 Total immersion 44 hrs. 29 38 5 44-hr. immersion + 3.5 br. at 1500 volts 29 10.4 6 17-hr. in 70° C oven. 44.0 7 Plus 4.5 hr. at 1500 volts after oven-drying 24 32.9 It is recognized that rubber insulation, which is slightly low in resistivity, can be improved by subjecting it to high voltage for a time without detracting from the other desirable insulating properties. The preceding data on Neo- prene insulation show that extensive exposure to high voltage likewise increases its resistance. It is also significant that the initial period of immersion caused a severe drop in the resistance per thousand feet of wire, while the trend after continued immersion and extensive exposure to high voltage was to restore the d.c. resistivity almost to its initial value. The highest value attained after 17 hours of drying in the 70°C oven was probably the combined result of reduction in moisture content and of tighter cure. Although these results would not be considered typical of any normal test procedure, they indicate gradual improvement of electrical properties under severe conditions and are reassuring from a service standpoint. ADJUSTMENT OF CURE A further possibility with respect to electrical properties is adjustment of cure. The following data illustrate the idea that more extensive knowledge of compounding principles for Neoprene may result in superior electrical prop- erties, even with the present types of Neoprene. The date also indicate the stability of the electrical properties of Neoprene under severe aging conditions. ‘The compounds compared (cured 30 minutes at 40 pounds) are as follows: Compound No. 1333N-216 © 1333N-217, Neoprene (Type GN) 100 Hexamothyléneammonium hesamethylenedithioearbamate .. Phenyl-g-naphthylamine 2 Somireinforcing black 5 Catalpo clay 100 Blane fixe 100 Medium-process oil 10 Litharge 20ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF NEOPRENE iol ss © 8 © 9 9 (9) 2NVLSNOD 91NL937310 > % (o)"WO-NHO NI AI1A12S1S3¥ °9°O T, Shh, % 2 si we a 1 \ a t 1 P 1 1 I 2---- W(X) WOLOWS Ui oe . 4N32 830 120 80 80 100 WO 0BRs AY aoc! ‘Fra. 1.—Comparison of stocks, compounded (eolid curves) and uneompounded (dotted curves). mi 1020 30 40706 RUBBER CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY Measurements were made of dac. resistivity, dielectric constant, and power factor after aging for various intervals in a 141°C oven. The trends of these various quantities for the two compounds are shown in Figure 1. Comparison of the resistivity curves for the compounded and uncompounded stocks indi- ‘cates conclusively that neither was cured to its maximum effectiveness elec- trically as originally prepared. The maximum attained by the compounded sample after 48 hours was 5.7 X 10" ohm-cm.; that attained by the uncom- pounded specimen after 120 hours was 3.2 X 10" ohm-cm. The discrepancy between the two may be the result either of the difference in state of cure or of the presence of insulating oxtenders in the compounded stock. Also, the dielectric constant of the uncompounded material is lower at. all points than that of the compounded material. In percentage power factor, the eompounded stock is definitely superior at all aging intervals to that of the uncompounded stock, although it appears possible that a longer exposure at 141°C might bring these two values together. On the other hand, the uncompounded material had become hard and brittle by the end of 121 hours, and more exten- sive exposure would not have been practical. MODIFICATION OF THE POLYMER ‘The history of Neoprene is a series of eventful improvements in physical properties. Thus, as a further possibility it can be expected that future modi- fications of Neoprene will have electrical properties vastly superior to those displayed by current types. Neoprene Type-FR, the latest addition, shows interesting possibilities: ‘Compound No. 1389N-218 1333-210 Neoprene (Type ER) wes Neoprene {ape 100 Piperidine LE CN ssatinetemte Ou PhenyLa-naphthylamine 2 Blane fixe 100 ‘lay 100 Sentceinfosing black 5 3 Process oil 10 10 Paraffin 5 5 Litharge 20 20 Cure at 287° F (min.) 40 30 Stress at 300% (Ibs. per sq. 275 550 Stress at 500% (Ibs. Pa eq. 425 Tensile strength (lbs. 700 1125 Elongation at break ‘Gercentage) 950 810 Hardness 44 67 Electrical properties D.C. resistivity (ohm-cm.) 12 ra 10" 4.2 x 108 Power factor (pereentage) is Dielectric constant 3 8.3 ‘Lons factor 0.086 0.12 EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON RESISTIVITY The effect of temperature upon the resistivity of Neoprene is indicated by the following compound and data:ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF NEOPRENE 707 Comrour 1338N-220 Neoprene (T; 100 Piperidine Detlamelyoedthiombamat 0.25 Phonyle-naphthylamine 2 (carbon black) 5 Ground mica 150 Paraffin 5 Shellac 15 Medium-process oil 10 Litharge 20 Cure at 287° F (min.) 30 ‘Tempera: Resitivit ture 6) (ohmam 25 5.46 x 108 40 1,13 x 10" 60 1.62 X 10" 80 6.01 x 108 100 1.89 X 10! There are electrical conditions under which the decrease of resistivity with rising temperature even up to 100° C could be permitted, and there are more severe conditions under which high-temperature applications would invite failure. It is not easy to state in a general way what the allowable limits are, and it would be beyond the scope of this paper to attempt to do so. The limits depend on many factors, and careful analysis of high-temperature appli- cations should be made to determine their practicability. CONDUCTING NEOPRENE The insulating qualities of Neoprene do not cover the entire range of elec- trical properties that are of technical interest today. Electrical conductivity in Neoprene is also important, and is attainable by the same means and to the same extent, as for rubber. The following data are based on established com- mercial produets, and do not indicate the possibilities of new blacks which have recently been offered and may soon be developed. The data illustrate the range of values attainable with several types of carbon black. Litharge was not used in these formulas since its effect on insulating qualities was not required. Base Compounp Neoprene (Type GN) 100 Hexamethyleneammonium hexamethylenedithiocarbamate 0.25. 05 Phony ctophthyamine 2 Extra-light caleined magnesia 4 Light-process oil 8 Zine oxide 5 Carbon black As indicated Cure at 287° F (min.) 30 resistivity (ohm-cm.) ‘Type of black (50 parts 100 parte Acetylene 2.7 Xx 108 12x 10 Soft carbon 16X18 = - 20 X 10" Somireinforeing LOX 108 6.7 X 10 Channel 8.5 X 10" 1.7 Xx 10°108 RUBBER CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY As a further illustration of the conductivity obtainable, the following date show the trend in a.c, resistivity values with inereasing amounts of aestylene lack: Bass Compouxp Neoprene (Type GN) 100 Hexamethy! Tepeanaonium hexamethylenedithiocarbamate 0.3 Phonylexnaphinylamine 1 Extralight ealsined magnesia, 4 foneon: x ‘As indicated 8 of 1 ae ! Cure at 287° F (min.) 30 Trrestaee guint 0 1x 1o# 10 2X 108 20 9 x 107 30 3X 10 40 6.4 X 10* 50 1.4 X 108 % 14 X 108 It is not intended to go extensively into the phenomena of conducting Neoprene compositions, but the effects appear to be similar to those for rubber, which are covered extensively elsewhere’. ‘The fact should be kept in mind that whether a material is a resistor or a conductor is relative. Rubber is an insulator in comparison with most metals, but it is a conductor in comparison with fused quartz and purified ceresin wax. Neoprene likewise is an insulator in comparison with most metallic elements, but whether it is an insulator or conductor with respect to rubber depends on the particular compounds compared. Figure 2 illustrates what might be called the “resistivity spectrum” for electrical materials. ‘The horizontal axis shows the range of resistivity which has been measured, plotted logarithmically to provide a practical spread of values on the chart, At the various vertical levels the horizontal lines show the range of resistivity values which have been published in various reference works* in comparison with Neoprene and rubber for which values have been assumed in this paper. ‘The range for rubber is taken to be 50-5 X 10% ohm-em., although higher values have been reported for purified rubber’, The range for Neoprene is taken to be 50-5 X 104. ‘The range for metallic elements begins with silver at 1.47 X 10~*, and may be extended to the value for the metalloid boron at § X 10. Both Neoprene and rubber overlap this range. At the other end of the range, Neoprene overlaps published values for such insulating materials as slate, phenolic resins, fiber, Lavite, glass, porcelain, and dry wood. It does not quite attain the published value for enamel, and is distinctly inferior to the high values attained by various waxes, mica, rosin, and sulfur. This would seem to indicate rather conclusively that, since slate, fiber, Lavite, phenolic resins, glass, and porcelain are useful as insulation for low-voltage service, Neoprene may have parallel utility in combination with its other desirable properties. ‘An aspect of the superior resistance of Neoprene to heat is shown by Figure 3. A length of No. 14 AWG copper wire was covered with 3/62-inch Neoprene insulation, and another length was similarly insulated with heat-ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF NEOPRENE S3U30 @ ZLUYNO OIsNd- 16 19 20 17 SAGE: NigaVuVd 9 OV773HS. XVM ONITVES: xvMSaae- is BELIDES rary O9lw aLITBNVE: 12 O6l» 31anve BLIAVT @ w3eId DRY_HARD wooos a 10 7. LOGARITHM OF RESISTIVITY Fro, 2.—Resisti METALLIC ELEMENTS “5-4-3 72 ot 34 5 6 spectrum for insulating materials. 709710 RUBBER CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY resistant rubber. After 15 months in a 70°C air oven, both samples were wound on a half-inch mandrel. ‘The rubber was brittle enough to crack badly, whereas the Neoprene showed no signs of failure. Code specifications based on the characteristics of a given material are not necessarily proper criteria for other materials. For example, a code wire specification of 1500 megohms per thousand feet!® for rubber-insulated wire is not based on the electrical demands made on this insulation, but on a charac- teristic value of rubber as a quality control. Specifications for Neoprene- insulated wire based on its electrical properties would be adequate to ensure satisfactory performance of the wire under many conditions of low-voltage Fia, 3,—Superior resistance to heat shown by Neoprene over rubber. service. The dielectric strength test specified for code wire, on the contrary, is not indicative of the electrical properties of rubber, but is set up as a means of detecting pinholes and other flaws in the extruding coating. The test applied to 3/64-inch wall insulation at 1500 volts works out to 32 volts per mil. This is obviously a trivial exposure for a solid film of either rubber or Neoprene, which can be made to have a dielectric strength of at least 800 volts per mil. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The author takes pleasure in acknowledging the important contributions of A. J. Northam and J. P. Nowlen of the du Pont Company to the progress of this work. He is also indebted to Millard Gass, who made iost of the measurements, and to representatives of the wire and cable industry for helpful discussions.ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF NEOPRENE m1 REFERENCES 1 Provent address, Western Eleotrio Co., Kearny, New Jerse, 2 Am, Boe. Te Materials, Tentative Methods D149-001; D1S0-S67; D257-277. + Am. Boe, Testing Materials, Tentative Mothods D257-37T. «Miles, Natl, Research Council, Div. of Eng. and Ind. Researeb, Comm. on Elee. Insulation, Report on ‘lectrical Insulating Properties of Duprene, 1936 "Komp in the Chemis ant Technology of Thibber™, edited by Davis and Blake, Roinhold Publishing ‘Wiegand'sha Boggs, Ind. Bia. Chom. 22, 822 (1930) 1 Ses for example, Fave Ton Buber Word 103, 47 (Feb, 1041), * "International Critical Tables”, 1927, Vol. II, p. 310; Perry, “Chemical Engineers’ Handbook”, 1934, Dp. 2228; Hodgman and Holmes, “Handbook of Cheinistry and Physics", 23rd Ed, 1939. 1682: + MePhorson, "in “‘The Chemistry and Technology of Rubber”, edited by Davis and Blake, Reinhold EUBiaking Corp. Wew York, 1997, Chap, : © Underwriters Labursiories, Standard for Rubber-covered Wires and Cables, Subject 44,