Testing of Si-COAT 570 high voltage insulator coating under high vacuum conditions

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Si-COAT 570 is a one-part, room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) polysiloxane (silicone) coating produced by CSLSilicones in Guelph, Ontario. Si-COAT 570 is a unique and patented formulation that provides a highly hydrophobic surface, which increases the resistance to flashovers induced by water, small amounts of electrolyte, and particulates.In addition, the coating is known not to be affected by corona discharge, chemical contaminants, extreme temperatures or corrosive environments. Si-COAT 570 is engineered with exact amounts of non-reactive, low molecular weight silicone and ingredients with precise particle sizes for optimum performance and reliability.Si-COAT 570 has been used and tested under extreme environmental conditions but never under high vacuum. Here we propose to study the performance of Si-COAT 570 at vacuum levels ranging from 1E-7 to 1E-3 torr. The coating will be applied to the surface of high-voltage ceramic insulators and tested at voltages ranging from 10 to 300 kV. Surface breakdown studies under different vacuum conditions followed by surface characterization analyses will be performed. These experiments will permit CSLSilicones to expand their current application portfolio of Si-COAT 570 to new fields that involve the development of electron sources, electron diffraction instruments, electron microscopes, particle accelerators, and others.