Milestone of Insulating Plastics

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the historical evolution and key technological milestones of insulating plastics, covering traditional materials such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), as well as sustainable and smart next-generation novel materials. It summarizes the development and challenges of traditional insulating plastics, including key issues such as environmental impact, operational reliability, and service life, while highlighting how the introduction of functional fillers, molecular structure design, and the reconstruction of polymer network structures can drive the transformation of insulating plastics toward high-performance, green, and smart applications. By integrating the latest advancements in materials science, green chemistry, and electrical engineering, this chapter reveals how insulating plastics can be redesigned to meet modern demands for performance, functionality, and sustainability, providing theoretical support and technical references for the future development of eco-friendly and smart electrical insulating materials.