Silicone rubber insulator using organic filler from golden apple snail shells

Abstract

Silicone insulator has been widely used for protecting high voltage outdoor equipments from environmental disturbances. This research aims to improve the properties of silicone rubber room temperature vulcanization (RTV) by using organic filler obtained from golden apple snail shells. The calcium carbonate (CaCo₃) with particle size of 75 μm was obtained from golden apple shells. The specimen made of RTV with additional of inorganic filler from commercial grade CaCO₃ were compared with organic filler. Samples were tested according to ASTM standard. Experimental results showed that, silicone RTV have shown a preliminary good insulation threshold of properties. For the electrical property, silicone RTV using organic filler ratio of over 30% perform better insulation property than inorganic filler when using the same ratio. As for mechanical property, it was found that the hardness is increased when the filler is increased respectively. CaCO₃ from golden apple snail shell created the crease pattern of film cover the surface of silicone RTV when more percentage of the filler used after examined by SEM. Finally, organic filler from golden apple snail shell were found to improve the hydrophobic property of RTV when investigated using contact angle measurement.

Keywords: Insulator Properties, Organic filler, Golden apple snail shell