A technology with a proven track record in the electronics industry has good prospects of repeating the success in high-voltage engineering: WACKER’s new UV-activating curing technology. In contrast to conventional silicone elastomers, which cure at elevated temperatures, curing of the novel silicones is activated by irradiation with UV light, whereupon the crosslinking reaction starts. 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 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.

With UV-active silicone elastomers for the T&D industry, developers can not only achieve high production speeds. As UV-activated silicones cure rapidly at room temperature, POWERSIL^® UV also allows for energy- and cost-efficient processing.

Visit WACKER at K 2010 in Düsseldorf. You’ll find us in Hall 06, Booth A10.