Surface structural characterization of polymer composite insulators for improved weather resistance

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Polymer-based materials are promising for use in insulators for electrical power lines as an alternative tocurrent glass or ceramic designs. The plastic structures can offer increased electrical resistance, lowermanufacturing and installation cost, and be of lighter weight. However, there is still work to be done in termsof formulating the material so that it can withstand the extreme summer and winter conditions of Canadianclimates. A large challenge in this area is chemical resistance to de-icing agents. To date, testing of somematerials such as silicone and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubbers has been carried out, andsome general findings exist, but it is remains to be understood how the materials respond to weathering undertheir electrical load. In this proposal, a combination of surface-specific spectroscopy, microscopy, andmacroscopic measurements of the hydrophobicity will be carried out. The aim is to identify which materialsperform the best under specific sets of chemical and physical conditions, and to be able to provide somemolecular-level explanation for any observed degradation in material performance. At the same time, thisproject provides many opportunities for training the next generation of scientists in advanced chemicalstructure and materials characterization methods.