Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants - Project

Polymer-based materials are promising for use in insulators for electrical power lines as an alternative to_x000D_ current glass or ceramic designs. The plastic structures can offer increased electrical resistance, lower_x000D_ manufacturing and installation cost, and be of lighter weight. However, there is still work to be done in terms_x000D_ of formulating the material so that it can withstand the extreme summer and winter conditions of Canadian_x000D_ climates. A large challenge in this area is chemical resistance to de-icing agents. To date, testing of some_x000D_ materials such as silicone and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubbers has been carried out, and_x000D_ some general findings exist, but it is remains to be understood how the materials respond to weathering under_x000D_ their electrical load. In this proposal, a combination of surface-specific spectroscopy, microscopy, and_x000D_ macroscopic measurements of the hydrophobicity will be carried out. The aim is to identify which materials_x000D_ perform the best under specific sets of chemical and physical conditions, and to be able to provide some_x000D_ molecular-level explanation for any observed degradation in material performance. At the same time, this_x000D_ project provides many opportunities for training the next generation of scientists in advanced chemical_x000D_ structure and materials characterization methods.