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

Series of Si /nZ/tZ@SR materials are prepared by dip-coating method to improve the hydrophobicity and breakage-resistant ability of high-temperature vulcanization silicone rubber (SR ) using ZnO particles as UV absorbent and bis(triethoxysilylpropyl) disulfide (Si ) as consolidant. The introduction of tetrapod ZnO can build a bramble structure and endow the SR materials with excellent hydrophobicity. The combined utilization of nano-ZnO and tetrapod-ZnO can endow the SR material well with anti-UV ability, while using Si gives the SR materials favorable thermal reparability due to its reconfigurable disulfide bond. The optimal parameters are 10%-Si , 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 SR . Compared with the neat SR , the mechanical property of the Si /nZ/tZ@SR material has no significant change. The research indicates the excellent comprehensive performance of Si /nZ/tZ@SR materials. Si /nZ/tZ@SR materials prepared by the dip-coating method using SR as a bonding layer show a rough bramble mastoid structure. Benefiting from the special functional layer structure, this material presents an excellent hydrophobicity, anti-UV aging ability, and thermal reparability.