Solid particle erosion of electrically insulating silicon and EPDM rubber compounds

SummaryJet erosion tests of outdoor insulating silicone and EPDM rubbers were carried out by means of a modified sandblasting equipment. The presence of relatively large, non-reinforcing filler particles increased the erosion rate of the silicone rubber compounds. The erosive wear of highly filled compounds strongly depended on the incident angle of the eroding particles. Rubbers with low amount or very finely dispersed reinforcing filler showed a good resistance to solid particle erosion. The mechanisms of material removal were studied by scanning electron microscopy and discussed.