Overall Improvements in Outdoor Performance of ATH-free Silicone Rubbers by Direct Fluorination

Abstract

This report summarizes previous studies on direct fluorination of ATH-free silicone rubbers (SRs) with different types or formulations to improve the outdoor application performance of SR, and gives overall improvements in the outdoor performance of ATH-free SRs by direct fluorination. The overall performance improvements contain the hydrophobicity, moisture barrier properties, dc flashover performance, corona or arc discharge resistance, and tracking and erosion resistance. Physicochemical characteristics of the fluorinated layers are also described, and the related mechanisms for these performance improvements are explained.