Silicone and EPDM rubber-based composites for high-voltage power transmission insulator sheds: a review

Abstract The need for energy solutions for inclusive and sustainable societies, as well as the expansion of electricity generation has remarkably accelerated the development of high-voltage power network infrastructures. Hence, the necessitated improved performance demands from rubber-based composite insulators. Silicone rubber (SIR) and Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber being the most common based-matrix material used in the design and manufacturing of outdoor high-voltage insulator sheds. Thus, the review study emphasized on SIR and EPDM insulation in addition with their characteristics improvement for use in high-voltage power transmission systems. Inorganic fillers like SiO 2 , TiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , Mg(OH) 2 , BN, etc. were found promising in the development of sustainable SIR and EPDM composite materials with improved mechanical, electrical, thermal, and hydrophobicity properties for insulator housing components. Although, one major challenge facing inorganic filler-reinforced rubber composites remains filler agglomeration. Additionally, the study revealed that polymer insulators in extreme environmental conditions under long exposure exhibit leakage current and surface properties degradation. As such, this study was concluded with challenges surrounding outdoor insulator shed components, as well as recommendations for future enhancement of composite insulators containing SIR and/or EPDM rubber matrix. Therefore, the study will pave the way in the futuristic study for material selection, design, development, and applications of outdoor high-voltage insulators.