I need a better insulating material.

 

In the consumer arena we can buy

such materials as silicone sealants and paints and whatever,

but dielectric constants and electrical breakdown voltage are rarely

posted on cans of (whatever substance you might care to name) in shops.

 

I realize most that most substances generally found in hardware stores

have dielectric constants ranging from 3 to 5, a few somehwat beyond this.

 

There was a glimmer somewhere on the net (since lost!)

about an alleged higher dielectric value of 'polysulfone tile adhesive',

but I couldn't track it down.

 

Barium Titanate would be lovely to get,

but strolling into ACE Hardware and asking for a a couple of liters

would draw blank stares from the workers there.

Setting up a mega-corp so I can just get on freighting company

delivery address lists is not an option, either.

As a hobbyist, getting free samples just isn't my cup of tea.

 

As an experimental hobbyist in more versed in electronics than chemistry,

I am wondering f anyone here has any suggestions

of concocting hi-K materials (solids, please, yes I know H2O is ~80) at home,

perhaps from commonly available solvents/adhesives/paints/dissolvables/etc.

 

Any help here?

 

my next query will be electrets (done that, crudely!)...

Mylar sheeting is quite good (the sort seen on the anti-static bags), don`t use the aluminised sort though, for obvious reasons

I do not know the answer to you'r questions but i have met similar problems.

 

Do all modern silcons and paints are equally good when using them in places where electrical insulation is of prime importance? Which are best common paints/ silicons in such case? And what to use if i need surface coating that is directly opsite to antistatic. ( When builidng static electricity machine for example... )

Do all modern silcons and paints are equally good when using them in places where electrical insulation is of prime importance? Which are best common paints/ silicons in such case?

I got a sample of a marine silicon resin paint which appeared to have good properties.

Unfortunately, it is expensive (has a titanate additive I think)

and was only available by factory order.

Before I could run a proper test, someone stole the sample

 

I have had good luck with the clear polyurethanes for lightweight voltage,

but I haven't seen anything since that 'once-in-a-lifetime' sample.

 

I just wich I knew how to brew up some barium titanate.

Burn out some pepto-bismol mixed with titanium-white paint, or what?

I would suggest materials used in capacitors for example Teflon or mica. Teflon is sold in plastics stores in sheets or you could buy Teflon tape for plumbing. For materials check out >

 

http://www.mcmaster.com

 

Al