Efficiently enhancing the tracking and erosion resistance of silicone rubber by the synergism of fluorine-containing polyphenylsilsesquioxane and ureido-containing MQ silicone resin

Abstract

It is of great interest and challenge to simultaneously improve the anti-pollution and tracking resistance of silicone rubber for its application in outdoor high voltage insulation. In this work, we proposed an efficient approach to address this issue by incorporating fluorine-containing polyphenylsilsesquioxane (F-PPSS) and ureido-containing MQ silicone resin (U-MQ) into addition-cure liquid silicone rubber (ALSR). F-PPSS/U-MQ significantly improved the tracking resistance and hydrophobicity of ALSR. By adding 2 phr F-PPSS and 1 phr U-MQ, ALSR passed the 1A 4.5 level inclined plane test with merely 0.2% eroded mass, and had a water contact angle as high as 121°. The synergism of F-PPSS and U-MQ on suppressing the ALSR degradation was further revealed and demonstrated. Our findings exhibited great potentials for fabricating silicone rubber with prominent tracking and erosion resistance by the combination of prevention and inhibition of tracking damage, endowing it with excellent long-term stable service performance.