Thermo-Oxidative Degradation of Thick-Walled Rubber Materials Studied by IR-Technique and Computed X-Ray Tomography Scanning

Abstract

Abstract Natural rubber cylinders vulcanized with two different systems, TMTD, which is an efficient vulcanizing system (EV system) and S/CBS, which is a conventional system, have been studied with respect to thermo-oxidative aging gradients, by the ATR-IR-technique (attenuated total-reflection infrared spectroscopy), computed x-ray tomography scanning and swelling. Observed aging processes are dominated by the formation of an oxidized layer whose low permeability to oxygen protects the interior of the material from oxidative aging processes as long as it is intact. The time to the formation of the oxidized layer is the major reason for the differences in the aging gradients. The oxidized layer is formed rapidly in the conventional system, whereas the formation is inhibited by dithiocarbamates in the EV system. Oxygen therefore diffuses into the EV materials, giving deeper oxidative aging than in the conventional materials at the same temperature. The conclusion drawn from the results of this study is that an earlier formation of an oxidized layer is advantageous with respect to thermo-oxidative aging of the bulk. Although it must be stated that, due to the better thermal stability of an EV system and to the poor mechanical properties of an oxidized layer, no objection is here raised to the accepted view that an EV system has superior aging properties.