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Flame Retardancy and Excellent Electrical Insulation Performance of RTV Silicone Rubber
Muhammad Tariq Nazir1, Arslan Khalid1, Imrana Kabir1
1School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Polymers
|September 10, 2021
Summary
Adding graphene nanoplatelets to aluminum trihydrate (ATH) filled silicone rubber significantly improves flame retardancy. This novel approach maintains excellent electrical insulation properties for outdoor applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- Room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber is crucial for outdoor electrical insulation.
- While aluminum trihydrate (ATH) enhances electrical insulation, it offers limited flame retardancy.
- Pristine silicone rubber exhibits high combustibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the flame retardancy of RTV silicone rubber filled with ATH.
- To maintain the electrical insulation properties of the modified silicone rubber.
- To investigate the effect of graphene nanoplatelets on flame retardancy and electrical properties.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) at 1% concentration into ATH-filled RTV silicone rubber.
- Evaluation of flame retardancy through heat release rate and smoke release rate measurements.
- Assessment of electrical insulation properties including dielectric breakdown strength, volume resistivity, permittivity, and dielectric loss.
Main Results:
- A 1% addition of graphene nanoplatelets with ATH significantly reduced heat release rate and smoke release rate.
- A minor decrease in dielectric breakdown strength and volume resistivity was observed.
- Permittivity and dielectric loss at power frequency remained within acceptable levels.
Conclusions:
- Graphene nanoplatelets, even at a 1% concentration, are effective in improving the flame retardancy of ATH-filled silicone rubber.
- The addition of GNP offers a viable method for fabricating flame-retardant silicone rubber with acceptable electrical insulation for outdoor applications.
- This research presents a promising strategy for developing safer and high-performance electrical insulation materials.
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