Abstract
EPDM rubber insulators were subjected to tracking resistance tests; gases evolved in these tests were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography and Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometry. Gases obtained by pyrolysis of this rubber compound (at 400, 600, 800, and 1000 degree C) were also collected and analyzed. Comparison of the gaseous mixtures obtained in both cases revealed that they are similar: CO, CO sub(2), ethene and methane are their major components.