Theoretical correlations amongst electrical and mechanical characteristics of polymeric housing materials for outdoor insulators

In this paper, theoretical correlation amongst various electrical characteristics of a housing / weather shed material is attempted. Also, a correlation relating tensile strength (a mechanical property) to insulation characteristics is proposed. The housing material used, is made of polymeric blends (Silicone/EPDM) with and without fillers (silica and alumina trihydrate).The proposed correlation is obtained through Dimensional Analysis technique. An attempt is also made to provide qualitative interpretations for these relationships, based on the fundamental physical quantities. Multivariate regression analysis of experimental values of the dependent and independent variables, that figure in these correlations is carried out. It yielded almost the same values for the exponents as those in the correlations developed using dimensional analysis. This confirmed similar quantitative and qualitative influences of various insulation parameters on tracking resistance and tensile strength, as predicted by the dimensional analysis approach.