ROOM TEMPERATURE VULCANIZED SILICONE RUBBER (RTV-SIR) BASED NANO AND MICRO-FILLERS COATING FOR HIGH VOLTAGE APPLICATION: A MINI REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/IJIREV.826003Keywords:
Accelerated Aging, Aluminium Trihydrate, FTIR Spectroscopy, High Voltage Insulation, Hydrophobicity, Leakage Current, Micro-fillers, Nano-filler, Room Temperature Vulcanized Silicone Rubber (RTV-SiR)Abstract
Room temperature vulcanized silicon rubber (RTV-SiR) coatings have emerged as critical components for high-voltage insulator applications, offering superior hydrophobicity, dielectric strength, and environmental resilience compared to conventional ceramic insulators. However, under multi-stress environmental conditions, including UV radiation, thermal cycling, electrical stress, and pollution, these coatings experience progressive degradation characterized by hydrophobicity loss, increased leakage current, and reduced service life. To address these limitations, nano- and micro-fillers (SiO2, ATH, TiO2, ZnO) are commonly incorporated into silicone rubber formulations to enhance performance characteristics. While numerous studies have investigated filler effects on RTV-SiR, findings remain fragmented and sometimes contradictory regarding optimal filler types, concentrations, and synergistic combinations. This review paper systematically evaluates the influence of filler characteristics, type, size, concentration, and dispersion, on key performance parameters including surface hydrophobicity, electrical resistance, mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and weatherability, with particular emphasis on pre- and post-ageing performance in accelerated test chambers. This synergistic effects arising from hybrid (nano + micro) filler systems are critically examined. Unlike previous descriptive summaries, this review critically analyses the underlying scientific mechanisms governing filler performance, identifies material design principles, compares existing evidence systematically, and outlines future research priorities. Challenges and opportunities in developing optimized RTV-SiR coatings tailored for high-voltage insulation are addressed, with emphasis on filler dispersion optimization, long-term field validation, and emerging 2D materials as synergistic additives. The insight presented established evidence-based design guidelines, identify critical knowledge gaps, and provide a practical resource for researchers and engineers developing next-generation RTV-SiR coatings with enhanced durability and performance for demanding high-voltage applications.
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