Work

Hot-Dip PVC-Based Polymeric Composite Coating for Advanced Electrical Insulation of Electric Vehicle Battery Systems

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely used polymer in composite systems due to its versatility and processability, with growing use in advanced engineering applications. This study presents the formulation, processing optimisation, and detailed characterisation of a hot-dip PVC-based plastisol composite coating developed for electrical insulation in electric vehicle (EV) battery systems. A series of plastisol formulations with varying filler contents were prepared and applied via dip-coating at withdrawal speeds of 5, 10, and 15 mm s−1. The 5 mm s−1 withdrawal speed resulted in the most uniform coatings with thicknesses of 890–2100 µm. Mechanical testing showed that lower filler content significantly improved performance: Group 1 (lowest filler) exhibited the highest tensile strength (11.9 N mm−2), elongation at break (465%), tear strength (92 N mm−1), and abrasion resistance. SEM and EDX analyses confirmed more homogeneous filler dispersion in Group 1, while FTIR spectra indicated stronger polymer–plasticiser interactions. Contact-angle measurements showed an increase of 38∘ in low-filler samples, indicating enhanced surface hydrophobicity. Furthermore, Group 1 coatings demonstrated superior dielectric strength (22.1 kV mm−1) and excellent corrosion resistance, maintaining integrity for over 2000 h in salt-spray testing. These findings highlight the importance of filler optimisation in balancing mechanical, electrical, and environmental performance. The proposed PVC-based composite coating offers a durable, cost-effective solution for next-generation EV battery insulation systems and has potential applicability in other high-performance engineering applications.
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,172
OpenAlex ID: W4416228131
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Cites: 47
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