RTV SILICONE RUBBER COATINGS

Product Description

Introduction :

INSILCOTE is a unique Room Temperature Vulcanised, (RTV) silicone rubber formulation, specifically developed by Mace Technologies, South Africa, in collaboration with the Electric Power Research Group of the University of the Witwatersrand for the prevention of pollution flashover of high voltage outdoor insulation.

The exceptional hydrophobicity of INSILCOTE inhibits the formation of continuous moist conductive layers on insulator surfaces. This, in turn, limits the flow of leakage currents, thus preventing the creation of dry bands and partial discharges - critical steps in the flashover process.

The superior performance of silicone rubber over other insulating materials in polluted environments is well proven. What makes silicone unique is the fact that, owing to the migration of low molecular weight siloxanes that exist within the elastomer, the water repellent properties are imparted to contaminants which accumulate on the surface. Thus, even when covered with a thick pollutions deposit, hydrophobicity is maintained.

The exceptional water-repellency of INSILCOTE and its rapid transfer of this characteristic to any covering contamination layer, coupled with silicone's inherent resistance to degradation by ultra-violet radiation, ozone and most chemicals, combination with the use of specialised fillers to combat power arc damage, enables the material to provide enhanced system reliability over a period of many years, even in the most extreme environments.

Technical Specifications :