Development and evaluation of a new product line of silicone elastomers for high voltage applications

The use of silicone elastomers is rapidly increasing in the manufacture and maintenance of high voltage insulators, arresters, and cable accessories. The processes required to produce this range of devices include casting, traditional press molding, and injection molding. This paper discusses how different products can meet these processing requirements while maintaining the performance profiles required for the various high voltage outdoor applications. Many of these applications require properties not inherent in standard silicone products. Physical and dielectric properties, as well as the results of application testing will be reviewed.