Performance Investigation on Different Designs of Superhydrophobic Surface Texture for Composite Insulator.

Meiyun Zhao,Xinze Zhao,Yang Wu,Jingtang Xing,Wei Li,Mingyi Tan

doi:10.3390/ma12071164

Meiyun Zhao, Xinze Zhao + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12071164

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Abstract

To investigate the superhydrophobic properties of different surface textures, nine designs of textures with micro-nanostructures were produced successfully using the laser engraving technique on the surfaces of composite insulator umbrella skirt samples made of silicon rubber. The optimal parameters of the texture designs to give rise to the best hydrophobicity were determined. The surface morphology, abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, self-cleaning and antifouling property of the different textured surfaces as well as water droplets rolling on the textured surfaces were studied experimentally using a contact angle meter, scanning electron microscope, three-dimensional topography meter and high-speed camera system. It was found that the diamond column design with optimal parameters has the best superhydrophobicity and overall performance. The most remarkable advantage of the optimal diamond column design is its robustness and long-term superhydrophobicity after repeated de-icing in harsh conditions. The reported work is an important step towards achieving superhydrophobic surface without coating for outdoor composite insulator in practical applications.

Highlights

Superhydrophobic surfaces have aroused great research interest in recent years because of their application potentials in a variety of engineering fields [1,2,3,4,5]
The superhydrophobic surface of the silicon rubber can be obtained by laser engraving and in this work nine of texturessurface with micro-nanostructures were madeengraving on the surfaces
The designs superhydrophobic of the silicon rubber can besuccessfully obtained by laser and in of this work nine designs of textures with micro-nanostructures were successfully made on the composite insulator umbrella skirt samples by laser engraving

Summary

Introduction

Superhydrophobic surfaces have aroused great research interest in recent years because of their application potentials in a variety of engineering fields [1,2,3,4,5]. With the continuous development of material science and bionics, the manufacturing technology of superhydrophobic surface has become more mature [6,7,8,9]. Silicone rubber is a new polymer material well known for its good properties such as high and low temperature resistance, ageing resistance and good insulation performances, it is widely used in many fields, especially in power system insulation devices [11]. Silicone rubber, when used as the composite insulator sheath, needs to have good hydrophobic surfaces since the hydrophobicity plays an important role in anti-icing and pollution flashover resistance [12,13,14]

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