Polysil shows promise. [Made by combining silica or ground rock (90%), an organic binder, and reinforcing fibers (10%)]

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · EPRI J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5011586

A new synthetic, Polysil, promises to be half as costly to produce and even more suitable than porcelain as an outdoor insulating material for electric power equipment. Developed by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the polymer-silica compound has twice as much dielectric strength and half as much dielectric constant as porcelain. It also has design flexibility and is more resistant to impact. As a derivative of polymer concrete with six to eight times the strength of concrete, it has been successfully used for erosion control around dams and power plants. Production is simple and can be decentralized. Metal inserts can be cast into the insulators rather than attaching separate end caps to lower costs and reduce contamination. Field testing on Polysil will continue for several years to test application for disconnect switches in residential areas; to use as a structural form in substations and eliminate insulators; to encase underground transmission conductors; and for circuit breakers and tower footings. Utilities will be looking for confirmation of polysil's durability and performance before making an extensive commitment.

• OSTI ID: 5011586
• Journal Information: EPRI J.; (United States), Journal Name: EPRI J.; (United States) Vol. 3:3; ISSN EPRJD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

200300* -- Electric Power Engineering-- Power Transmission & Distribution-- (-1989)
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360300 -- Composite Materials-- (-1987)
42 ENGINEERING
420500 -- Engineering-- Materials Testing
BUILDING MATERIALS
CHALCOGENIDES
CONCRETES
CONTROL
COST
CURRENT DENSITY
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL INSULATION
ELECTRICAL INSULATORS
ELECTRICAL TESTING
EPRI
EQUIPMENT
MATERIALS
MATERIALS TESTING
MINERALS
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POLYMERS
POWER TRANSMISSION
PUBLIC UTILITIES
QUALITY CONTROL
RELIABILITY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SILICA
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
TESTING
USES