The electrical performance of silicone rubber insulating coatings in a salt-fog chamber

Abstract

The results of a study on the electrical performance of room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone rubber insulator coatings under accelerated aging in a salt-fog chamber are reported. The coatings are evaluated at a severe salt-fog condition and various electric stress levels. The temporary loss and recovery of hydrophobicity are studied. Fiberglass-reinforced plastic and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber were tested for comparison with RTV. The gradual loss of hydrophobicity as measured by leakage current and contact angle measurements is shown to be related to the physical changes in the coating brought about by dry-band arcing.<>