Four-parameter method for hydrophobicity judgement and mechanism of hydrophobicity transfer property

It is well known that the excellent pollution performance of silicone rubber (SR) insulators originates from its hydrophobicity and hydrophobicity transfer properties. With the sustainable growth of composite insulator usage in China, a convenient method should be given to judge the hydrophobicity properties and to help the utilities choose proper products. In this paper, a four-parameter method used in the evaluation of hydrophobicity status was introduced. The four parameters are hydrophobicity on clean surface, hydrophobicity loss property, hydrophobicity recovery property and hydrophobicity transfer property named H_c, H_l, H_r and H_t, respectively. Relative values of the four parameters, which were based on the research work of hydrophobicity, were also given. This method has already been used in some parts of China for its easy operation and effectiveness regarded. In addition, the mechanism of hydrophobicity transfer property was further investigated and the difference of the results between contact angle and hydrophobicity classification was also discussed in detail.