13 Sep 2024
Demand for busbars has been expanding in recent years, driven by electric mobility
Tokyo – Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. has claimed an industry first with the development of a heat-shrinkable silicone rubber tube for covering busbars.
Busbars are conductor rods made of metals, such as copper and aluminium, that are used to connect and distribute power sources.
They are used in various applications, including distribution boards and control panels, and have been increasingly in demand, driven by the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles (HEVs).
Traditinally, busbars use insulating parts such as tapes and tubes as they carry high voltages and large currents.
With the increasing voltages and currents in busbars used for EVs and HEVs, there is a heightened need for enhanced features like improved electrical insulation and heat resistance.
In an 11 Sept statement, Shin-Etsu said its "ST-OR type" silicone tubes demonstrated high electrical insulation with dielectric breakdown strength of 28 kV/mm.
The silicone rubber material also offers “excellent” heat and cold resistance, operating in temperatures ranging between -40°C to +200°C.
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