Use of nano-silica in silicone rubber for ceramic insulators coatings in coastal areas

Nano-silica and micro-silica particles were mixed with silicone rubber. The resulting materials were compared with respect to erosion damage in inclined plane, and surface roughness and contact angle of virgin samples. Results have shown that nano-silica filled room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber (SR) has higher erosion resistance than micro-silica filled RTV SR. The measurement of the contact angle of virgin samples has shown slightly lower hydrophobicity for the nano-silica filled samples than micro-silica filled samples. Surface roughness in nano-silica filled samples is lower than micro-silica filled samples, and one could expect less contamination accumulation of such nano-silica filled RTV SR materials. These preliminary laboratorial results indicate that the nano-silica filled RTV SR is better suited for contaminated environments than micro-silica filled RTV SR.