Study on aging property of hydrophobic epoxy system for outdoor insulation

Hydrophobic epoxy resin system for outdoor insulation was tested various endurance tests: high energy Xenon weathering test; ozone aging test; and acid rain test. After that, evaluated surface micro-formation by SEM observation, surface roughness, contact-angle, and tracking-resistance and erosion-resistance property at electric discharge. They compared hydrophobic epoxy resin system with conventional cycloaliphatic epoxy resin system for outdoor application. Surface micro-formation, surface roughness, and contact-angle of hydrophobic and conventional epoxy systems were not changed after ozone aging test and acid rain test from the original condition. However at high energy Xenon weathering test, these properties were changed. Contact-angle of conventional cycloaliphatic epoxy system was declined, but contact-angle of hydrophobic epoxy system increased with test progress. In IEC tracking tests, it was confirmed that the tracking and erosion-resistance of hydrophobic epoxy system was better than the conventional cycloaliphatic epoxy system.