Effects of vinylsilane-modified nanosilica particles on electrical and mechanical properties of silicone rubber nanocomposites

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 197; p. 122493
• Main Authors: Park, J.J., Lee, J.Y., Hong, Y.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 27.05.2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: AC insulation breakdown strength; Alternating current; Coupling agents; Dielectric breakdown; Dielectric properties; Dielectric strength; Electric equipment; Electrical equipment; Electrical properties; Elongation; Fourier transforms; Hydrophobicity; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Insulation; Liquid silicone rubber (LSR); Mechanical properties; Nanocomposites; Particulates; Rubber; Silicone resins; Silicone rubber; Silicone rubber nanocomposite; Silicones; Surface modification; Tensile strength; Thermogravimetric analysis; Transmission electron microscopy; Surface modification; Liquid silicone rubber (LSR); AC insulation breakdown strength; Silicone rubber nanocomposite
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.122493

The hydrophilic surfaces of nanosilica particles were modified to achieve a hydrophobic characteristic using a vinylsilane coupling agent. The effects of the modified nanosilica content on the electrical and mechanical properties of a silicone rubber nanocomposite were studied for application toward heavy electrical equipment. The modification of the nanosilica particles was confirmed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A silicone rubber nanocomposite was prepared by mixing liquid silicone rubber (LSR) with vinylsilane-modified nanosilica particles at a weight ratio of 100 to 0–30 g. To observe the even dispersion of nanosilica particles in the LSR matrix, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used and it was found that the surface-modified nanosilicas were well dispersed in a 52–78 nm cluster formation. The electrical (alternating current (AC) breakdown strength and dielectric properties) and mechanical (tensile strength and elongation) properties were measured, and the AC insulation breakdown strength and tensile strength increased with an increase in the amount of modified-nanosilica. [Display omitted] •Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) was mixed with nanosilica particles for application toward heavy electrical equipment.•Hydrophilic surface of nanosilica was modified with hydrophobic vinylsilane coupling agent.•Tensile strength of LSR/nanosilica (30 wt%) is 6.15 MPa, which is 27.9-times higher than that of neat LSR.•Electrical breakdown voltage for LSR/nanosilica (30 wt%) is 22.21 kV/mm, which is 14.1% higher than that of neat LSR.