Condensation test and simulation of superhydrophobic coatings

Abstract

Pollution flashover accidents pose a great threat to the safe and stable operation of a power system, and superhydrophobic materials have broad application prospects in the field of pollution flashover prevention of the external insulation of transmission and transformation equipment. In this paper, PVDF@PMMA/SiO2 superhydrophobic coatings were prepared using a spraying method. Superhydrophobicity is defined as an angle larger than 150° and a small roll-off angle smaller than 10°. The static contact angle of the coatings reached 155°, which meant they had excellent superhydrophobic properties. The distribution characteristics of water droplets on superhydrophobic surface were analyzed through a live condensation test, and simulation analysis was carried out. It was found that the distance between water droplets on the superhydrophobic surface was larger, which increased the distance of the arc development; the static contact angle was larger; and the electric field strength at the three-phase junction was lower. Both of them worked together to enhance the pollution flashover voltage of the coating.