Effect of volatility of live line washing agents on physicochemical properties of silicon rubber for composite insulator

The swelling characteristics of the contamination DC silicone rubber insulator under the Live Line Washing Agents (LLWA) have an important influence on its physical and chemical properties. Experimental research effects on the volatility, swelling and hydrophobicity of silicone rubber samples during live line washing processing with two different volatilization insulating agents. The results show that at 25℃, the volatilization rates of No.1 and No.2 washing agents were 104.63g/(h·m²) and1101.96g/(h·m²). The degree of swelling of the silicone rubber increased with immersion time. The swelling reached saturation after 10 hours contacted with the insulating agent, and the silicone rubber swelled saturation indexes are respectively 130% and 55%. The washing agent No.1 has a weakening effect on the hydrophobicity of silicone rubber. After 10 minutes of washing process, the static contact angle decreases by about 14%. Washing agent No. 2 has a protective effect on the hydrophobicity of silicone rubber, and the static contact angle increases by 6%.Therefore, the highly volatile insulation washing agent can reduce the adverse effects of swelling on the silicone rubber insulator, and can provide a basis and reference for the live line washing of silicone rubber insulation equipment under energized operation.