Room Temperature Vulcanized Silicone Rubber Research Articles

Preparation and characterization of HNTs@ZIF enhanced intrinsic flame retardant RTV silicone rubber

Phenylphosphonyl dichloride (BPOD) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) were used to prepare phosphorus-nitrogen hexaethoxysilane (BPTES). BPTES was then used for cross-linking and curing hydroxyl-terminated room-temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber, providing intrinsic flame retardancy. In addition, halloysite (HNTs) is a kind of tubular silicate, taking advantage of its large aspect ratio, HNTs were used as a template to load ZIF67 on the surface of halloysite to obtain HNTs@ZIF tubular filler. It was added to the above system as a reinforcing and flame-retardant filler by physical blending, and the RTV elastomer with excellent performance was prepared. The successful preparation of phosphorus-containing crosslinkers (BPTES) was demonstrated by FT-IR. After the introduction of the new crosslinker, RTV not only has improved flame retardant performance, but also improved mechanical properties. The tensile strength and elongation at break of RTV with 20 wt.% BPTES are increased by 151% and 211%, respectively. The peak heat release rate (pHRR) and the peak of smoke production rate (pSPR) are reduced by 55.9% and 48.6%, respectively, and the thermal stability is also improved. In addition, the successful preparation of HNTs@ZIF was confirmed by FT-IR, XRD, XPS, and TEM. By introducing 2 wt.% HNTs@ZIF into 20 wt.% BPTES cured RTV, the intrinsically flame-retardant RTVs with enhanced performance were prepared. It is worth noting that when 2 wt.% HNTs@ZIF is added, the flame retardant and smoke suppression properties of phosphorus-containing silicone rubber are further improved. Because the ZIF contains cobalt metal ions that can be catalyzed into carbon. The pHRR and pSPR decrease by 18.3% and 16.3%, respectively, and the total heat release (THR) and total smoke production (TSP) decrease by 23.6% and 24.4%, respectively. This work will provide enlightenment for the study of intrinsic flame-retardant RTVs enhanced by modified halloysite.

Novel fillers for wearable technology: Impact of titanium carbide and thinners on room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber composites

Wearable technology has emerged as a robust pathway to achieve smart functionalities in healthcare, sports, fitness, and beyond. This study investigates the mechanical and electromechanical properties of silicone rubber (SR) composites. The SR was reinforced with titanium carbide (TiC) and modified with varying (room-temperature vulcanized) RTV-thinner (silicone oil) concentrations. RTV-SR was utilized, which cures at room temperature to form a flexible, durable, and moldable rubber widely used for sealing, bonding, and making molds. The addition of TiC enhanced tensile strength from 0.5 MPa (control) to 0.59 MPa (5 phr of TiC), and tensile modulus from 0.41 MPa to 0.51 MPa. However, the thinner inclusion reduced tensile properties. For instance, the T10 sample (10 phr thinner) showed a tensile strength of 0.51 MPa and a tensile modulus of 0.29 MPa making the composites soft. Thinner addition also increased ductility, with fracture strains rising from 151 % (control) to 217 % (T10). Compressive strength followed a similar trend, with the control and 5 phr TiC samples exhibiting compressive strengths of 0.18 MPa and 0.17 MPa, respectively, which decreased to 0.12 MPa for the T20 sample. Under cyclic loading, TiC-filled samples showed consistent load patterns, while thinner addition resulted in increased energy dissipation and reduced stiffness. Electromechanical analysis revealed that TiC 5 phr samples exhibited stable piezoelectric responses, with voltage outputs increasing from ±0.1 mV at 15 % strain to ±1.0 mV at 40 % strain. The T5 samples demonstrated significant voltage improvements, generating ±2.5 mV at 15 % strain and ±5 mV at 40 % strain. Long-term cyclic tests confirmed the stability of T5 samples, maintaining voltage outputs of −1.5 mV to 1.5 mV over 50 minutes. Response time analysis indicated faster response times for TiC 5 phr samples, decreasing from 145 ms at 15 % strain to 102 ms at 40 % strain, while thinner addition led to longer response times. Real-time electromechanical tests under mechanical study showed that T5 samples achieved optimal performance with voltage peaks up to ±2.4 mV under thumb pressing. These findings highlight the trade-off between mechanical strength and flexibility, suggesting that an optimal balance of TiC and thinner enhances the properties of silicone rubber composites for applications in wearable technology and sensors.

Enhancement of rider comfort by magnetorheological elastomer based damping treatment at strategic locations of an electric two wheeler

The vibrations generated in the two-wheeled vehicles like motorcycles due to road irregularities such as cracks, potholes, and bumps on the road cause discomfort for the rider as well as the pillion. These vibrations are reported to cause lower back pains, musculoskeletal effects, fatigue, and long-term health issues. Particularly, electric two-wheelers are more susceptible to these vibrations caused by the road and need attention. This paper presents an innovative technique for the reduction of vibrations at prominent locations in the electric two-wheeler to improve the rider’s comfort. All measured accelerations are about vertical direction (along z-axis as per ISO 2631-1 standard). Passive and Semi-active damping treatments namely, Room temperature vulcanizing Silicone rubber and Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) were applied on the test vehicle at strategic locations of vibration. Both were compared for their effectiveness in reducing the vibrations. Results showed that MRE based damping technique proved better vibration isolation at the strategic locations. The weighted root mean square acceleration as well as vibration dose values were found to decrease with the help of damping treatments thus improving the rider’s overall comfort level.

Preparation and properties of an anti-icing and de-icing emulsified asphalt coating containing RTV and CNTs

In regions experiencing cold weather, road icing poses significant challenges to transportation safety. Traditional anti-icing or de-icing methods, such as salt spraying, have raised environmental concerns, prompting the exploration of more sustainable alternatives. This study introduces a novel approach by developing a hydrophobic coating for road surfaces. This method involves using room-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for the hydrophobic modification of emulsified asphalt (EA), resulting in the preparation of modified emulsified asphalt (RCEA). This method does not cause environmental pollution and makes the road surface highly hydrophobic and effective at preventing ice formation. When the dosages of RTV and CNTs are 20 wt% and 4 wt%, respectively, the contact angle of RCEA reaches 118.6°, showing a significant increase of 73.4 % compared to EA. Comparative tests have revealed that RCEA extends the freezing time of water droplets by 66.7 % at −10 °C compared to traditional emulsified asphalt (EA). Furthermore, the adhesion force of ice on the RCEA surface is 58.2 % lower than on EA, indicating significantly improved de-icing efficiency. The results of ultraviolet aging and freeze-thaw cycle tests show that RCEA maintains its hydrophobicity, evidenced by only a slight reduction in the contact angle. Additionally, water seepage coefficient tests and anti-skid performance assessments confirm that RCEA meets the requisite standards for road performance. In summary, RCEA emerges as a promising anti-icing and de-icing material for asphalt roads, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional de-icing methods.

Photoluminescence of polysiloxane-immobilized lignin-modified wood toward color-tunable and ultraviolet protective smart window

Smart windows can benefit from the use of photochromic wooden materials. In the current study, we report the preparation of fluorescent wood that can switch color under visible and ultraviolet lighting conditions. In order to develop a transparent wood that is both fluorescent and photochromic, a mixture of europium and dysprosium activated strontium aluminum oxide (EDSA) nanoparticles (NPs; 8–13 nm) and room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone rubber (Polysiloxane) was integrated into a delignified wood. EDSA is known for its excellent photostability and thermal stability. The EDSA phosphor has to be efficiently dispersed in RTV to avoid the formation of aggregates, allowing for a better fabrication of colorless wood. The coloration findings from the CIE Lab parameters displayed that when illuminated with ultraviolet rays, this colorless wooden substrate turned green. Using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), the morphological properties of the synthesized EDSA NPs were examined. Various analysis techniques, including elemental mapping, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopic analyzer (WDXRF), scanning electron microscope (SEM), hardness testing, and photoluminescence spectra, were employed to study the photochromic woods. An absorption band (365 nm) and two emission bands (436 nm and 518 nm) were determined for the prepared photoluminescent woods. When increasing the EDSA content, the results showed that the produced EDSA-infiltrated wood was more water-resistant and highly protective against UV radiation. Reversible photochromic responsiveness to UV light was observed for the prepared transparent luminous wood without fatigue.

RTV/GO-SiO2 anti-corrosion nanocomposite coating

Corrosion stands out as a leading factor contributing to the deterioration of industrial components, particularly in equipment utilized for oil and gas transmission and processing. Room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV) emerges as a promising solution for corrosion prevention due to its notable features including high hydrophobicity, adhesion, and thermal stability. This study focuses on enhancing anti-corrosion properties by applying coatings of RTV polymer with graphene oxide (GO) sheets (RTV-GO) or GO decorated with silicon oxide (RTV/GO-SiO2) onto X60 steel substrates. The investigation delves into the microstructure of the coating, surface hydrophobicity, adhesion to the substrate, and its efficacy in corrosion protection. Various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to analyze the nanocomposites. Furthermore, corrosion resistance was evaluated through open circuit potential analysis, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and salt spray testing. Results indicate that incorporating GO and hybrid GO-SiO2 into the RTV polymer matrix not only enhances the interface strength between the coating and steel substrate but also boosts corrosion resistance by up to 10-fold compared to uncoated substrates.

Mechanical and adhesive properties of RTV silicone rubber blended with silicone polyurethane modified epoxy resin

To enhance mechanical, adhesive, and thermal properties of Room Temperature Vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber, a silicon-containing polyurethane/epoxy resin modifier (ESiPU) was developed. A three-phase system of polyurethane/epoxy resin/silicone rubber was prepared through blending, modification, and co-curing. FT-IR and 1H-NMR were employed to characterize the chemical structure of ESiPU. Microscopic analysis revealed improved compatibility between modified epoxy resin and silicone rubber. Mechanical testing showed significant enhancements in tensile strength, elongation at break, and adhesive strength, with RTV-20phr exhibiting increases of 236, 266, and 259%, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated higher initial decomposition temperature compared to pure RTV. At the same time, the char residue at 800 °C increased to 8.67%. TG-IR analysis demonstrated ESiPU’s ability to delay thermal degradation. Contact angle test confirmed improved hydrophobicity. Overall, the developed silicone rubber system exhibits promising mechanical and thermal properties, suggesting potential for aerospace heat protection applications.

Comparative Damages in RTV Silicone Rubber Exposed to Mineral and Natural Ester Oil

Comparative Damages in RTV Silicone Rubber Exposed to Mineral and Natural Ester Oil

MoS2-based charge trapping layer enabled triboelectric nanogenerator with assistance of CNN-GRU model for intelligent perception

Self-powered sensing technology and smart perception technology have broad application prospects in flexible and wearable electronics. In this work, a flexible triboelectric nanogenerator (RMP-TENG) based on a room-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV)@(Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)/Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) functional layer is developed using a layer-by-layer self-assembly and material doping strategy. The RTV@(MoS2/PVC) functional layer is divided into a charge-generating layer (RTV/PVC) and a charge-trapping layer (RTV/MoS2). The synergistic effect of PVC and MoS2 has improved the surface roughness and charge transfer efficiency of RMP-TENG, doubling its output performance to 1055 V and 112 μA. In order to further improve the tactile sensing accuracy of RMP-TENG, a deep learning model based on Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) is developed. It predicts the type of contact material based on the features of tactile signals, achieving a prediction accuracy of 93.975%. Additionally, by combining mobile smart terminals, the CNN-GRU model, and RMP-TENG, a wireless access control system based on self-powered tactile sensing and intelligent material recognition is developed. Through the optimization of these experiments and algorithms, RMP-TENG has achieved real-time material recognition capabilities. This demonstrates the broad application prospects of RMP-TENG in wearable energy supply, intelligent sensing, human-computer interaction, and other areas.

Fabrication of high-durability superhydrophobic coatings based on dual-sized SiC particles

In recent years, inspired by “biomimicry”, superhydrophobic surfaces have gained significant attention. Superhydrophobic surfaces demonstrate notable advantages in addressing interfacial issues, and superhydrophobic coatings exhibit excellent waterproofness, anti-fouling, self-cleaning, anti-corrosion, and additional capabilities, making them promising next-generation waterproof materials. However, the complex preparation process, coupled with poor wear resistance and environmental durability, severely limits their practical applications. Therefore, this article started from simplifying the preparation process and improving the durability of the coatings. Epoxy resin (E51) was used as the film-forming material, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and dual-sized SiC particles (nano-SiC and micro-SiC) were used as the fillers. Room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV) was used as a binder interacting with epoxy resin to promote the interface interaction between the fillers and the polymers. This process resulted in the successful preparation of superhydrophobic coatings with outstanding comprehensive performance. When the ratio of μ-SiC to n-SiC was 1:1, the prepared coating exhibited the best superhydrophobic properties with a water contact angle (WCA) of 167.4° and a sliding angle (SA) of 4.6°. Even after undergoing severe mechanical tests, such as sandpaper abrasion for 1000 cycles, sand impact for 100 cycles, cross-cut test, and tape-peeling for 70 cycles, the coatings still maintained their non-wetting Cassie-Baxter state. Furthermore, even after immersion in strong acid, strong alkali and 3.5 wt% NaCl solutions for 6 days, keeping at 500 ℃ for 2 hours, and exposure to ultraviolet for 6 days, the coatings still exhibited excellent superhydrophobicity. This suggested that the prepared coating had excellent chemical stability and high-temperature resistance. In addition, the superhydrophobic coating exhibited exceptional capabilities in self-cleaning, anti-corrosion, anti-icing, and de-icing properties. Furthermore, this coating, applicable to diverse substrates including board, steel, paper, and glass, demonstrated an impressive water contact angle (WCA) and sliding angle (SA). The spraying method offers the benefits of simplicity and cost-effectiveness. This is poised to significantly broaden its practical applications in various fields, including construction, transportation, and the chemical industry.

The critical anti-icing power study of the stayed-cable cylindrical structure based on positive temperature coefficient (PTC) electrothermal film with low Curie temperature

The low temperature and high humidity regions are prone to freezing rain during winter, causing the formation of icicles on the surface of the stayed-cable cylindrical structure. When dislodged by gravity and wind, these icicles may fall and significantly impede the normal movement of vehicles, posing a danger to pedestrians. In this paper, a new organic positive temperature coefficient (PTC) electrothermal film with a Curie temperature of 1 °C is developed by mixing 107 methyl room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber, acetylene black and n-tetradecane through continuous stirring. Subsequently, a numerical simulation of the anti-icing model for the stayed-cable cylindrical structure is established based on the resistivity-temperature characteristics of the new organic PTC electrothermal film. The analysis include variations in the critical anti-icing power of the stayed-cable cylindrical structure with different diameters, horizontal angles, wind speeds and environmental temperatures are analyzed. Finally, the anti-icing experiments are conducted under natural conditions using the stayed-cable cylindrical structure covered with the PTC electrothermal film. The results of the numerical simulation are compared with the natural experimental results, showing a relative error within 3%. This indicates that the anti-icing model of the stayed-cable cylindrical structure is appropriate. The findings of this work provides a theoretical and experimental basis for the subsequent design of an anti-icing device on the basis of PTC electrothermal film.

RTV silicone rubbers cured by polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and ladder-like polysilsesquioxane: Thermostability, long-term thermal properties, and pyrolysis mechanism

At present, silicone rubber has been widely used in the fields of aerospace and electronic materials, yet its long-term thermal performance still remains a challenge. In this investigation, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and ladder-like polysilsesquioxanes with multiple silicon-methoxy groups (MSPOSS, MSLPSQ) were synthesized successfully and used as cross-linkers to cure room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (POSS-SR, LPSQ-SR). The results demonstrate that both MSPOSS and MSLPSQ can effectively improve thermostability, mechanical properties, and long-term thermal properties of RTV silicone rubber. The silicone rubber exhibits a remarkable preservation of strength and flexibility after long-time heat treatment at 400 °C. The silicone rubber demonstrates an impressive retention rate of 84.52% for tensile strength and 69.16% for elongation at break. An analysis of the pyrolysis process of the silicone rubber reveals that the 'back-biting' of polysiloxane chains were inhibited effectively by both MSPOSS and MSLPSQ. As a result of this inhibition, the silicone rubber's terminal chains are delayed from decomposing, resulting in retardation of initial thermal decomposition and significant improvement long-term thermal properties. This work may provide a new prospect for room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber for aerospace applications in extreme environments.

Robust and Durable Superhydrophobic Coatings with Antipollution Flashover Performance via Silane-Modified Polyurea.

The inadequate hydrophobicity and the degradation in usage seriously hampered the applications of the existing antipollution flashover coatings. In this paper, a superhydrophobic polyurea coating with antipollution flashover ability was fabricated through chemically grafting the silica onto the chains of polyurea by utilizing silane coupling agent and hydrophobic modification. It is demonstrated that the coating exhibits outstanding antipollution flashover performances. Noteworthy, the surface pollution flashover voltage has been increased by 33.8% compared with the room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber (RTV silicone rubber). In addition, the volume resistivity is above 1.0 × 1012 Ω·m, and the dielectric strength achieves to 28.85 kV/mm, which represents excellent insulating property. Furthermore, the superhydrophobic polyurea coating exhibits outstanding abrasion resistance, adhesion, acid-base resistance, and durability. As a result, it holds great promise for use in preventing pollution flashover in electrical insulators.

Fabrication of superhydrophobic (CuO-SiO2) nanocomposite coating for oil/water separation

ABSTRACT The presence of oil-contaminated water due to oil spill disasters or improper industrial waste dumping is now a worldwide danger to both human health and the sustainability of the environment.The use of superhydrophobic materials has attracted considerable attention in the field of oil-water separation, owing to the increasing demand for effective and economical oil-water separation techniques.A new, easy, and inexpensive flame treatment method was used to make a nanocomposite (CuO-SiO2) in order to improve its hierarchical structure (micro-nano).The anodisation process produced copper oxide (CuO) nanostructures (NSs) on a copper mesh. Subsequently, the nanostructures were modified by dip coating with a solution of room-temperature vulcanised silicone rubber (RTV-SR).The coated mesh demonstrated remarkable characteristics of superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity, with a water contact angle (WCA) of (160 ± 1 ° ) and an oil contact angle (OCA) of (0 ° ), as determined during the measurement of the surface’s wetability. The coated mesh surface was characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).The successful separation of kerosene-water and diesel oil-water mixtures is accomplished by using a coated mesh in a simple filtration procedure. Furthermore, it has the capability to separate oils with a high efficiency of (99.8%) for kerosene and (87%) for diesel oil. It also has flux values of (7352.9 L.m -2 .h -1 ) for kerosene and (6112.9 L/m 2 .h) for diesel.

Optimization of durable superhydrophobic wood with superstrong ultraviolet resistance and chemical stability

The less UV durability and weak chemical stability of superhydrophobic wood limited its wide application. Cu2(OH)3Cl nano particles, epoxy (EP), vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES), and room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV) were combined together to modify both soft and hard wood with function of superhydrophobic at once successfully. The modified wood was endowed not only superhydrophobicity as expected, such as CA more than 150°, along with anti-fouling and self-cleaning properties, but also excellent durability, including well chemical, sandpaper abrasion, water impact and tape peeling stability. Most prominently, there was almost no color changing being observed on the modified samples. Furthermore, the best UV resistance, 3168 h consistently against UV irradiation, was achieved in the field of wood superhydrophobic modification. The proposed synergistic protective mechanism by synthesizing silicon dioxide and siloxane has potential to extend the service life and improve the high value utilization of wood product.

A Simple Preparation Method to Fabricate Superhydrophobic (TiO2–SiO2) Nanocomposite for Enhancement Contact Angle

As a consequence of the regeneration of nanostructures and the development of a nanocomposite with excellent superhydrophobic properties, a simple flame treatment strategy was examined to increase surface roughness. Cotton soaked in ethanol was used as a flame source at temperatures ([Formula: see text]350[Formula: see text]C) for 30 s. The flame treatment operation takes place after the titanium dioxide (TiO[Formula: see text] nanoparticles (NPs) have been treated with room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV-SR) liquid using a dip coating approach. X-ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle (CA) measurement, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to describe the superhydrophobic surface. Resulting surfaces demonstrated that the water contact angle (WCA) of the superhydrophobic surface was 168 ± 2[Formula: see text], sliding angle SA (4 ± 1[Formula: see text]).

Thermal Aging Characteristics of Silicone Rubber Exposed to Mineral Oil

Room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber is extensively utilized as a coating material for power transformer bushings because of its high hydrophobicity and excellent anti-pollution flashover resistance. However, the performance of silicone rubber may suffer significantly when exposed to mineral oil. Till now, literature available on understanding the degradation behavior of silicone rubber exposed to mineral oil at different temperatures is very rare. Therefore, in the present work oil immersion test is performed. RTV silicone rubber was thermally aged in mineral oil at 40°C and 80°C for 200 hours. Post ageing, to examine the changes in the surface properties of the aged specimens 3D microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, contact angle, proof tracking index (PTI), and shore hardness measurements were made. The results indicate that the degree of surface degradation was proportional to the temperature. Further, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and infrared thermography were employed to evaluate the thermal properties of aged and unaged specimens. TGA-DTA and infrared thermography indicated a remarkable reduction in thermal stability and heat dissipation capability post mineral oil ageing. The effect became more adverse with increasing ageing temperature. Also, ageing resulted in a decrease in alternating current (AC) breakdown voltage and PTI. Finally, all the experimental outcomes were correlated and the degradation dynamics of mineral oil-aged silicone rubber are explained in detail through possible chemical reactions, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) investigations.

Enhanced piezoelectric energy harvesting using hybrid composites of MWCNTs and partially-reduced GO in RTV-SR for stable voltage generation

Recent studies have explored the use of flexible devices for piezoelectric energy harvesting, which can generate energy at a few volts on a laboratory scale. In this context, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), partially-reduced GO (p-rGO), and their hybrid composites based on room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV-SR) have emerged as innovative and novel approaches for energy production. The composites were prepared by mixing an RTV-SR solution with MWCNTs and p-rGO powder as fillers, resulting in improved mechanical properties and reinforcement of the RTV-SR matrix. The p-rGO was synthesized from graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) using the modified Hummers' method, followed by chemical and thermal reduction. The MWCNTs were used as received from the supplier. Characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, transmission electron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy revealed that the p-rGO consisted of less than five layers stacked in a crystalline domain. Static mechanical property analysis demonstrated that MWCNTs exhibited exceptional filler characteristics compared to other fillers studied. Piezoelectric energy harvesting measurements were performed, and the results indicated higher voltage generation for MWCNTs; however, it exhibited instability and a decline in performance after a few cycles due to electrode cracking. In contrast, the hybrid composite demonstrated stable voltage generation. Moreover, walking and running activities may generate renewable, simple, and sufficient voltage to power light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Preparation and ablation properties study of a single component ceramifiable RTV silicone rubber

Preparation and ablation properties study of a single component ceramifiable RTV silicone rubber

Superhydrophobicity transfer effect in superwetting coatings for strengthening anti-pollution flashover performance

Superhydrophobic (SH) and superamphiphobic (SAP) coatings have been viewed as an alternative to conventional hydrophobic room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone rubber coatings in anti-pollution flashover application. However, being one of the most important properties in RTV-based anti-flashover materials and devices, the hydrophobicity transfer property was rarely documented for SH and SAP coatings, which restricts their practical applications in environments with heavy contamination. Herein, we propose for the first time a superhydrophobicity transfer effect in superwetting (SW) coatings (e.g., SAP and SH coatings) containing low-surface-energy molecules (e.g., polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)) as a migratory reagent. When the surface is stained by artificial simulated pollutants, PDMS molecules can migrate from the coating to the contamination layer, followed by a surface modification. Through this process, the surface wettability of the contaminant layer gradually evolves from superhydrophilicity to hydrophobicity, and finally to SH state. This evolution is investigated in relation to the amount and species of migratory reagents, migration time, pollution grade, and pollutant species. The superhydrophobicity transfer effect offers the coated glass insulators an outstanding anti-pollution flashover strength. This work can provide a novel and universal protocol to realize a superhydrophobicity transfer property in SW coatings, which may stimulate further investigation and applications in not only anti-pollution flashover but also other fields such as anti-fouling and anti-icing.