Chemical characterization and research on the silicone rubber material used for outdoor current transformer insulation

Highly Flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerator Using Porous Carbon Nanotube Composites

The rapid development of portable and wearable electronic devices has led researchers to actively study triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) that can provide self-powering capabilities. In this study, we propose a highly flexible and stretchable sponge-type TENG, named flexible conductive sponge triboelectric nanogenerator (FCS-TENG), which consists of a porous structure manufactured by inserting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into silicon rubber using sugar particles. Nanocomposite fabrication processes, such as template-directed CVD and ice freeze casting methods for fabricating porous structures, are very complex and costly. However, the nanocomposite manufacturing process of flexible conductive sponge triboelectric nanogenerators is simple and inexpensive. In the tribo-negative CNT/silicone rubber nanocomposite, the CNTs act as electrodes, increasing the contact area between the two triboelectric materials, increasing the charge density, and improving charge transfer between the two phases. Measurements of the performance of flexible conductive sponge triboelectric nanogenerators using an oscilloscope and a linear motor, under a driving force of 2-7 N, show that it generates an output voltage of up to 1120 V and a current of 25.6 µA. In addition, by using different weight percentages of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), it is shown that the output power increases with the weight percentage of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The flexible conductive sponge triboelectric nanogenerator not only exhibits good performance and mechanical robustness but can also be directly used in light-emitting diodes connected in series. Furthermore, its output remains extremely stable even after 1000 bending cycles in an ambient environment. In sum, the results demonstrate that flexible conductive sponge triboelectric nanogenerators can effectively power small electronics and contribute to large-scale energy harvesting.

Understanding the Effects of In-Service Temperature and Functional Fluid on the Ageing of Silicone Rubber

With an organic/inorganic hybrid nature, silicone elastomers are amongst the most versatile engineering materials, exploited in a wide range of applications either as end-products or in manufacturing processes. In many industrial machines, silicone components are exposed to in-service conditions, such as high or low temperatures, contact with functional fluids, mechanical loading, and deformations, which can adversely affect these components and reduce their lifespan, leading to machine failure in turn. The present study investigates the behaviour of a silicone component of a manufacturing equipment and the variations in the part’s properties due to in-service conditions (temperature, exposure to heat transfer fluid, and mechanical deformation) to develop a monitoring tool. An experimental design was employed to study the main and the interaction effects of temperature (22 °C, 180 °C), medium (air, synthetic heat transfer fluid), and strain (0%, 200%) on the silicone component’s properties. Results showed that while the chemistry of the component remains intact, its thermal and in particular mechanical properties are largely influenced by the in-service conditions. Consequently, leading to a physical rather than a chemical failure of the component and limiting its service life. Statistical analysis revealed that high temperature and the exposure to the heat transfer fluid have the most sever effects. Moreover, these two manufacturing parameters were found to have a significant interaction with one another, whose effect cannot not be neglected.

Similar nature leads to improved properties: cyclic organosilicon triperoxides as promising curing agents for liquid polysiloxanes

Cyclic organosilicon triperoxides were found to be vinyl-selective free-radical initiators for thermal curing at 100–180 °C of vinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane and trimethylsilyl-terminated polymethylhydrosiloxane producing homogeneous transparent silicone rubbers with antibacterial properties.