Fluorocarbon Impregnation for Silicone Electrical Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Components of electrical machines, particularly those coated with polymers, face issues with corrosion and swelling when exposed to oily or aqueous solutions, leading to reduced durability and adhesive strength, especially in areas where moisture or oils penetrate.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a compressed gas loaded with a fluorocarbon compound as a carrier to render materials hydrophobic and oleophobic, allowing deep impregnation of the treatment agent into the material, which remains after the gas is removed, thereby enhancing water and oil repellency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If silicone-based potting compounds are used for electrical insulation and mechanical protection, then thermal conductivity and temperature resistance are improved, but oil absorption and swelling occur leading to reduced mechanical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the surface chemistry of the silicone potting compound through fluorocarbon treatment. This changes the surface energy parameters to create hydrophobic and oleophobic properties, allowing the material to maintain its temperature resistance while preventing oil absorption that would otherwise cause swelling and mechanical property degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining the silicone base material with fluorocarbon compounds on the surface. This composite approach allows the bulk silicone to provide thermal conductivity and temperature resistance, while the fluorocarbon surface layer provides oil and water repellency, preventing the swelling and strength loss that occurs with pure silicone
2Strength
If silicone resin systems are used as adhesives for magnet bonding, then adhesion to substrates is improved, but adhesive strength decreases when moisture or oils penetrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-treating the silicone adhesive surface with fluorocarbon compounds before moisture or oil contamination can occur. This creates a protective barrier that prevents the ingress of harmful substances, thereby maintaining adhesive strength and bond reliability in harsh environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameters of the silicone adhesive through fluorocarbon modification, creating a dual-function material that maintains both adhesion to substrates and resistance to moisture and oil penetration, thus preserving bond reliability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional coating methods are used for hydrophobization, then surface water repellency is achieved, but deep impregnation and long-lasting protection are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses compressed gas (pneumatics) as a carrier to deliver fluorocarbon compounds deep into the material pores and structure. This pneumatic delivery method enables deep impregnation that conventional surface coating cannot achieve, resulting in long-lasting protection even when surfaces are damaged
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the porous structure of the silicone material to enable deep impregnation of fluorocarbon compounds. The compressed gas carrier delivers the treatment agent into the pores, creating deep-seated hydrophobic and oleophobic properties that provide durable protection
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method achieves long-lasting water and oil repellency, ensuring the durability of electrical machine components by preventing corrosion and swelling, even when the surface is damaged, and allows for the reuse of the solvent, making the process ecologically and economically advantageous.
Implementation Method 1
Loading a compressed gas with a hydrophobizing and/or oleophobizing agent
Implementation Method 2
bringing the material into contact with the compressed and loaded gas
Implementation Method 3
hydrophobizing agent comprises a fluorocarbon compound
Implementation Method 4
oleophobizing agent comprises a fluorocarbon compound
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
AI summary
The invention relates to methods for hydrophobizing and/or oleophobizing a material. The method involves the following steps: - charging a compressed gas (22) with a water repellent and/or oil repellent (21); - bringing the material (15) in contact with the compressed, charged gas (20); and - eliminating the gas (20) from the material (15). The invention further relates to a component of an electric machine, comprising or made of a material. According to the invention, a water repellent and/or an oil repellent can be detected down to a depth of at least 1mm in the material in a an area located near the surface of the material.