To study the influence of multi-factors, such as long sunshine, sand erosion, and so on, in southern Xinjiang, we selected two kinds of composite insulators for the transmission lines in southern Xinjiang to study the aging characteristics of the umbrella skirt surface. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) show that the surface roughness of the umbrella skirt is high and there are a large number of micron inorganic particles. The skirt has the characteristics of low C/O element ratio and high Al element content. The results of thermogravimetric analysis and micro infrared test show that the aging depth of the Myli Line skirt after 19 years of operation is 160~190 µm and that of Yuhe Line 1 after 14 years of operation is greater than 180 µm. The plasma discharge method was used to simulate the corona discharge in the actual operation to accelerate the aging of the surface of the umbrella skirt and the hydrophobic recovery of the umbrella skirt was investigated. The results show that the temperature has a great influence on the surface hydrophobic recovery performance after plasma treatment. These results may provide some theoretical guidance and technical support for the selection, operation, and maintenance of composite insulators in Xinjiang.
Keywords: aging; composite insulator; southern Xinjiang area; wind and sand environment.