Progress in and prospects for electrical insulating materials

The performance of electrical equipment and devices is determined to a great extent by the properties of their insulating materials. In power systems and electrical devices, insulating materials have to work in extreme circumstances that can include high temperature differences, intense radiation, and strong electric fields. Such conditions demand high-quality insulating materials with superior electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties as well as resilience to other environmental stresses. This study focuses on advances in insulating materials since the early 20th century and reviews the many developments in their properties and applications, including electric breakdown strength, thermal conductivity, temperature resistance, corona resistance, and specific energy storage in dielectrics. Some research progress on other properties is also covered, such as non-linearity and radiation resistance. Investigations into the properties of insulating materials can greatly assist in understanding their interface effects and composite structures, which in turn is helpful for discovering methods to improve the performance of electrical devices. Future directions for research are proposed to guide new investigations and support the development of even better insulating materials.