Performance of Polymeric Insulating Materials in Salt-Fog

The paper presents the results of a study conducted on polymeric insulating materials in a salt-fog chamber. The materials examined include high temperature vulcanized (HTV) silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) and cycloaliphatic epoxy. The influence of inorganic filler, type, concentration and dispersion and the magnitude of the electric stress on the tracking and erosion properties of the materials are reported under high salinity conditions. The presence of filler in EPR material is shown to enhance leakage current. Studies of filler dispersion by an energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) show non-uniformity in filler concentration where erosion or tracking is initiated. The mechanisms by which the filler operates to impart improved resistance to tracking or erosion is discussed through measurements of surface temperature, released gases, weight loss and leakage current.