Enhanced mechanical, thermal, and erosion resistance properties via the synergetic effect of n-ATH/LMGP added ceramifiable silicone rubber composites for electrical insulation

Abstract

Abstract The present work is focused on investigating the mechanical, thermal, and electrical erosion resistance properties of newly developed silicone rubber composites with micro-size-low melting glass powder (LMGP) and nano-size alumina trihydride (n-ATH). Utilizing the fluorescent fiber, a new erosion testing method has been developed. The intensity of the signal generated from the fluorescent fiber explains the severity of damage caused by electrical inception followed by arcing and erosion. LMGP filler exhibits good thermal stability, arc resistance, and flame-retardant properties by forming a ceramic structure between ATH and silicone rubber matrix. With ATH/LMGP-filled hybrid samples, the formation of fire cinders is observed rather than flame formation in virgin silicone rubber samples at the time of erosion. Very little temperature rise is observed at the time of erosion with the LMGP-added samples. Compared to virgin material, the hybrid composite material shows a mechanical improvement of 13.03% in tensile strength and 12.47% in tear strength. The synergetic effect of the ATH and LMGP fillers enhances the thermal conductivity of the silicone rubber matrix by 59.34%. FEM studies revealed the basic understanding of the local hotspot reduction with the addition of high thermal conductive fillers and its effect on erosion resistance.