Preparation of hydrophobic silicone rubber composite insulators and the research of anti-aging performance

Abstract

Series of Si75/nZ/tZ@SRHTV materials are prepared by dip-coating method to improve the hydrophobicity and breakage-resistant ability of high-temperature vulcanization silicone rubber (SRHTV) using ZnO particles as UV absorbent and bis(triethoxysilylpropyl) disulfide (Si75) as consolidant. The introduction of tetrapod ZnO can build a bramble structure and endow the SRHTV materials with excellent hydrophobicity. The combined utilization of nano-ZnO and tetrapod-ZnO can endow the SRHTV material well with anti-UV ability, while using Si75 gives the SRHTV materials favorable thermal reparability due to its reconfigurable disulfide bond. The optimal parameters are 10%-Si75, 1%-nZnO, and 50%-tZnO. After longtime UV radiation, this material still shows good hydrophobicity and intact surface. The FTIR and X-Ray diffraction analysis indicate the breakage of Si–O molecular chains and the exposure of inorganic fillers for SRHTV. Compared with the neat SRHTV, the mechanical property of the Si75/nZ/tZ@SRHTV material has no significant change. The research indicates the excellent comprehensive performance of Si75/nZ/tZ@SRHTV materials.