A technology with a proven track record in the electronics industry has good prospects of repeating its success in high-voltage engineering: WACKER’s new UV-activated curing technology. In contrast to conventional silicone elastomers, which cure at elevated temperatures, curing of these novel silicones is activated by irradiation with UV light, whereupon the crosslinking reaction starts. It then proceeds without any further aid.
The technology has numerous advantages: UV-silicones cure rapidly and their process parameters can be adjusted to the users' requirements. Also, no byproducts are released. WACKER has now incorporated this innovative technology into its POWERSIL® UV series making these advantages available to the transmission and distribution industry.
Silicone elastomers are ideal insulating materials for high-voltage applications and are used, e.g. in combinations with glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy resin, to manufacture long-rod and hollow insulators. Other important applications include cable accessories, surge arresters and bushings. They take advantage of the material's excellent electrical and hydrophobic properties, as well as its weathering stability.
POWERSIL® UV silicone elastomers for the T&D industry not only offer developers high production speeds. As UV-active silicones, they also cure rapidly at room temperature, allowing for energy- and cost-efficient processing.
Visit WACKER at CIGRE 2010 at Booth 38.