Refractory Paint for High Voltage Insulators
DOD-Air Force Phase I Contract No. FA9451-05-M-0197
This Phase I SBIR project studied and demonstrated the feasibility of coating plastic insulators with refractory ceramics. This project resulted in refractory coated plastic insulators, which gave inexpensive, easily manufactured plastic insulators with complex shapes the high temperature resistance of ceramic insulators. The project has developed a coating method that provides excellent adhesion between the plastic substrate and the refractory coating even after exposure to harsh operating conditions. This low-cost, low temperature, pressure-less coating method was used to apply refractory coatings to large and complex shapes with excellent adhesion. Refractory coated insulators have withstood over a thousand flashover events without delamination and have greatly exceeded the damage resistance of uncoated plastic insulators. Phase I demonstrated the general feasibility of the concepts and illuminated the potential capabilities of the paint system for a variety of applications.