Characteristics Analysis of Chalking Composite Insulators

As a form of aging of silicone rubber, chalking often treaded as a significant feature of aging in the research. This paper summarized the chalking phenomenon of composite insulators on 33 lines in southeast coastal area of China. It was found that the phenomenon of chalking occurred on shed of composite insulators for about 10 years on-line aging, accompanied with cracking of shed. A chalking classification method was established by insulators' appearance and chalking layer's thickness. The chalking influence on hydrophobicity and hydrophobicity mobility was discussed. The reason of the improvement of hydrophobicity was analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer and Scanning Electron Microscope.