Application of Infrared Spectroscopy in Research on Aging of Silicone Rubber in Harsh Environment

Polymer insulators using silicone rubber materials as sheds and sheaths are widely used in power systems to replace traditional porcelain and glass insulators which are heavy, inconvenient to install, and prone to pollution flashover. However, in recent years, polymer insulators that have been operating in harsh outdoor environments for many years have experienced different degrees of aging. The aging degree and aging products of silicone rubber are the focus of research. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is a technical method to analyze the internal molecular bonds and functional groups of materials, and it is often used to study the aging degree and aging products of silicone rubber. In this paper, the aging characteristics of silicone rubber samples in a high altitude area, salt fog environment, and acid environment were studied by FTIR. The results showed that the silicone rubber in a harsh environment, such as strong radiation, salt fog, and acid fog was degraded to some extent, and its main chain was cut off, the degree of polymerization was reduced, and the content of hydrophobic functional groups was reduced. Infrared spectroscopy can be used to analyze the aging phenomenon of polymers.

Automated summary

Polymer insulators using silicone rubber materials have replaced traditional porcelain and glass insulators in power systems due to their lightweight and easy installation. However, these insulators can experience aging when being exposed to harsh outdoor environments. In this study, the aging characteristics of silicone rubber samples in high altitude, salt fog, and acid environments were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results revealed that the silicone rubber degraded to some extent in harsh environments, leading to the breaking of the main chain, reduction in polymerization degree, and decrease in hydrophobic functional groups. FTIR can be used to analyze the aging phenomenon of polymers.