Evaluation of interfaces between silicone rubbersusing a modified inclined plane test in salt fog

摘要

Two different techniques, which could bernused for field-repair of minor damages on siliconernrubber sheds have been evaluated before and afterrnexposure to a modified inclined plane test, with orrnwithout prior exposure to a 1000 h UV test. The firstrntechnique was based on pressing a HTV siliconerntowards a HTV rubber, followed by curing atrnatmospheric pressure. The second technique was basedrnon joining HTV rubbers using silicone glue (RTV-1).rnNo difference in leakage currents, surface roughness byrnprofilometry, or the degree of surface oxidation,rnassessed by ATR-IR and ESCA, were observed betweenrn'repaired samples' compared to the reference materials.rnHowever, the leakage current was significantly lower onrnUV-aged samples before electrical testing. Tensilerntesting showed that the samples based on adding/curingrna HTV silicone maintained the mechanical propertiesrnafter ageing while the mechanical properties of thernglued samples were significantly reduced. This indicatesrnthat the 'HTV-HTV' system has better long-termrnstability compared to the silicone glues system.