This paper presents an investigation on the physio-mechanical properties and AC breakdown voltage of the Kenaf paper in the presence of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) for transformers application. Kenaf bast fibers were used in order to produce the paper through the soda pulping process. The pulps were subjected to beating up to 12,000 revolutions, whereby the PVA was added to the pulps at a different weight percentage concentration up to 12%. Morphological study was carried out on the Kenaf paper based on Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The apparent density, Tensile Index (TI), Burst Index (BI), Tear Index (TeI), and AC breakdown voltage of the Kenaf paper were measured. It is found that the TI and BI of Kenaf paper can be slightly improved through the introduction of PVA. On other hand, the TeI of the Kenaf paper decreases with the increment of the PVA. The AC breakdown voltage of the Kenaf paper slightly increases with the increment of PVA weight percentage concentration.

This paper presents a study on the effect of beating on the physical and mechanical properties of untreated kenaf based insulation paper for application in transformers. The paper was developed based on kenaf bast fibers through soda pulping process. The pulps were subjected to beating process up to 9000 revolutions where the thickness, density and tensile index of paper were measured. It is found that the tensile index and the density of the paper increases while the thickness of the paper decreases with beating revolutions.

This paper examines the physico-mechanical properties of untreated kenaf based insulation paper with consideration on different beating degrees. Kenaf bast fibers were first processed through soda pulping process. Different beating degrees were subjected to the processed pulps. Physical parameters of the paper were measured for each of the beating degrees. It is found that as the beating revolution increases, the kenaf based insulation paper’s density, tensile index and burst index increase while thickness and tear index decrease.