Properties and advantages of liquid silicone rubber (LSR) insulation

Our insulators consist of fibre-glass reinforced core and liquid silicone rubber outer layer, with adequate metal end-fittings. This design results in the following characteristics:

• Dramatic weight reduction compared to porcelain or glass insulators (especially for higher voltages), with an equal or better strength. This allows an equivalent saving in transportation and erection costs. LSR insulators are even lighter than other polymer insulators.
• High tensile strengh and superior flexibility, which gives improved seismic performance and no risk of break or shatter in transport and handling, or by vandalism. This significantly reduces loss caused by breakage during shipping and installation. No danger of hidden cracks, which happen in porcelain.
• Hydrophobic properties of silicone rubber cause far lower leakage currents, which results in excellent behavior in heavily polluted environments. Thus, there is no need for washing or greasing, even in humid or polluted areas, which saves on maintenance and cleaning costs. Silicone disables the formation of conductive paths, which lead to flashovers, line outages, and erosion of the insulator. Silicone rubber retains its hydrophobicity after washing.
• Heat-cure silicone elastomers have outstanding properties and are far superior to conventional organic elastomers. They exhibit exceptional mechanical strength at temperature and can be used at temperatures ranging from -40°C to over +100°C. The ageing resistance of these elastomers highlights their fundamental qualities such as the fact that they are chemically inert, their photo-oxidative stability and the absence of residual reactive groups once cured. Silicone is self-extinguishing.
• Silicones are resistant to ozone, ultra-violet radiation, most organic and inorganic chemicals, fuels and oils. Silicones exhibit stable long term operating behaviour, as demonstrated over many years of outdoor exposure against degradation and deterioration of insulating properties (other polymers and certain resin based materials will degrade over time).
• Excellent tracking resistance avoids erosion or tracking of the housing material
• Optimized process parameters and uncompromising quality assurance lead to extraordinary long and reliable service life under all conditions.
• Production flexibility allows adaptation to specific customer needs promptly (dimensions, fittings, creepage distance, to suit various transmission lines and equipment)
• Lower total costs compared to conventional insulators, including lower maintenance costs and easier transportation and installation
• Safe products with no health risks; ecological advantage compared to glass and porcelain insulators.