Surface degradation of polymer insulators under accelerated climatic aging in weather-ometer

Climatic aging experiments were conducted on two types of outdoor polymer insulators by using a programmable weather-ometer. The housing materials for the insulators were silicone rubber (SR) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). The accelerated aging stresses were comprised of ultraviolet radiation, elevated temperature, temperature cycling, thermal shock and high humidity. Their effects on the insulator surface conditions and electrical performance were examined through visual inspection and SEM studies, contact angle measurements, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis and 50% impulse flashover voltage tests. The results showed a significant damage on the insulator surface caused by some of the imposed aging stresses. The EDS analysis suggested a photooxidation process that happened on the insulator surface during the aging period