Properties ozone resistance

Vulcanox 3100 is a powerful, persistent antioxidant and anti-flexcracklng agent for most diene rubbers (NR, IR, SBR, NBR), imparting moderate antiozonant properties. Ozone resistance can be improved by the addition of microcrystalline waxes. 

The role of accelerators in the curing and mechanical properties of EPDM/SBR blends is investigated. In this study, blend properties were optimised by selecting accelerators with a shorter scorch time and a faster cure rate in the EPDM phase than in the SBR phase. The accelerators investigated included a sulphenamide-based accelerator and a system composed of a combination of a thiuram and thiazole-based accelerator. By use of techniques described in this work, sulphur vulcanisates with compound properties comparable to those cured with a cure system composed of peroxide and sulphur coagent were obtained. The effects of the accelerators in final compound properties are discussed, with reference to mechanical properties, ozone resistance, heat ageing, and compression set. 13 refs. 

It is a very lightweight rubber and has very good weathering and electrical properties, excellent adhesion, and excellent ozone resistance. 

Nitrile mbber finds broad application in industry because of its excellent resistance to oil and chemicals, its good flexibility at low temperatures, high abrasion and heat resistance (up to 120°C), and good mechanical properties. Nitrile mbber consists of butadiene—acrylonitrile copolymers with an acrylonitrile content ranging from 15 to 45% (see Elastomers, SYNTHETIC, NITRILE RUBBER). In addition to the traditional applications of nitrile mbber for hoses, gaskets, seals, and oil well equipment, new applications have emerged with the development of nitrile mbber blends with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). These blends combine the chemical resistance and low temperature flexibility characteristics of nitrile mbber with the stability and ozone resistance of PVC. This has greatly expanded the use of nitrile mbber in outdoor applications for hoses, belts, and cable jackets, where ozone resistance is necessary. 

Ozonc-rcsjstant elastomers which have no unsaturation are an exceUent choice when their physical properties suit the appHcation, for example, polyacrylates, polysulfides, siHcones, polyesters, and chlorosulfonated polyethylene (38). Such polymers are also used where high ozone concentrations are encountered. Elastomers with pendant, but not backbone, unsaturation are likewise ozone-resistant. Elastomers of this type are the ethylene—propylene—diene (EPDM) mbbers, which possess a weathering resistance that is not dependent on environmentally sensitive stabilizers. Other elastomers, such as butyl mbber (HR) with low double-bond content, are fairly resistant to ozone. As unsaturation increases, ozone resistance decreases. Chloroprene mbber (CR) is also quite ozone-resistant. 

Blends of diene and backbone-saturated mbbers are frequently used in appHcations where discoloration by chemical antiozonants caimot be tolerated, yet where cost is stiH a primary consideration (eg, white sidewalls of tires). Disadvantages are that physical properties have to be compromised and the two mbbers usually differ greatly in their rates of vulcanization. Usually, at least a 25% replacement by the ozone-resistant mbber is needed for an appreciable enhancement in ozone protection (6). 

Two propylene oxide elastomers have been commercialized, PO—AGE and ECH—PO—AGE. These polymers show excellent low temperature flexibihty and low gas permeabihty. After compounding, PO—AGE copolymer is highly resiUent, and shows excellent flex life and flexibiUty at extremely low temperatures (ca —65°C). It is slightly better than natural mbber in these characteristics. Resistance to oil, fuels, and solvents is moderate to poor. Wear resistance is also poor. Unlike natural mbber, PO—AGE is ozone resistant and resistant to aging at high temperatures. The properties of compounded ECH—PO—AGE he somewhere between those of ECH—EO copolymer and PO—AGE copolymer (22). As the ECH content of the terpolymer increases, fuel resistance increases while low temperature flexibihty decreases. Heat resistance is similar to ECH—EO fuel resistance is similar to polychloroprene. The uncured mbber is soluble in aromatic solvents and ketones. 

One-step vulcanization, wide range of curing conditions, high loading elasticity, snappiness, no deformation, weatherability. ozone resistance, heat resistance, tear resistance, coating performance, adhesive properties, skid resistance, abrasion resistance... 

Natural rubber Solid Good physical properties and resistance to cutting and abrasion. Low heat and ozone resistance. Gaskets. 

Chlorinated polyethylene CPEs provide a very wide range of properties from soft/ elastomeric to hard. They have inherent oxygen and ozone resistance, have improved resistance (compared to PEs) to chemical extraction, resist plasticizers, volatility, and weathering. Products do not fog at high temperatures as do PVCs and can be made flame retardant. 

Based on these considerations, Croft prepared six formulations containing various combinations of NBR and NBR/PVC with CR and SBR and measured their oil, heat and ozone resistance, physical properties, and adhesion characteristics. Whereas the physicals are satisfactory for aU compounds, formulations based on NBR, NBR/PVC with CR performed better on heat and oil aging than the compounds containing SBR as shown in Tables 11.6 and 11.7. However, the adhesion is better with the latter compounds. It has been suggested that cuprous sulfide formed on the wire surface interacts with the double bond in SBR to provide the improvement in adhesion. 

Blends of carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) with EPDM are likely to provide an attractive combination of properties including oil resistance, heat and ozone resistance, high tensile strength, modulus, and hardness. However, the polar curing ingredients often diffuse from the nonpolar to polar component, thereby producing cure rate mismatch and inferior properties. Three different measures have been used to overcome the cure rate mismatch [29] ... 

Table 11.14 gives critical stress, critical strain, and critical stored energy of NR-EPDM blends for initiation of ozone cracking. All the properties show an increase on addition of TOR, especially the critical stored energy. Stored energy is a strong indicator of ozone resistance and shows an increase by about 80% on addition of 20 parts of TOR to the compound. This was confirmed by SEM pictures of surface ozone cracks and the results of dynamic mechanical moduli and tan d measurement. 

Butyl rubber (a copolymer of isobutylene and 1-3 mole per cent isoprene) and its halogenated derivatives have unsaturation in the carbon-carbon backbone and consequently do not have as good aging properties as EPDM. There are also reports (9-12) that ozone-resistant butyl rubber with a high degree of unsaturation can be prepared by copolymerization of isobutylene with either cyclopentadiene or 9-pinene. 

PVC/NBR polymer blends can be produced as colloidal or mechanical blends, the former generally giving superior properties. Commercially available blends have PVC contents ranging from 30-55%. The blends have reduced elasticity, which gives improved extrudability, but they also exhibit superior ozone resistance, improved oil swell resistance, and tensile and tear strength this, however, is achieved at the expense of low temperature flexibility and compression set. The ozone resistance of such blends is, however, only improved if the PVC is adequately distributed and fluxed. This is harder to achieve in mechanical blends, but if it is not achieved failure due to ozone attack can occur. 

The main use of EVA is in wire and cable applications, although the electrical properties are inferior to those of EPDM. EVA is used for some medical extrusions and can be blended with other polymers to improve ozone resistance. 

Table 4.111 displays examples of ageing and chemical property ranges for some TPEs. These comparisons are very schematic and cannot be used for designing. Ozone resistance is a specific property of rubbers used in numerous specifications. The rating system is the same as previously 5 is always attributed to the most attractive materials. These general indications should be verified by consultation with the producer of the selected grades and by tests under operating conditions. 

Most polystyrene products are not homopolystyrene since the latter is relatively brittle with low impact and solvent resistance (Secs. 3-14b, 6-la). Various combinations of copolymerization and blending are used to improve the properties of polystyrene [Moore, 1989]. Copolymerization of styrene with 1,3-butadiene imparts sufficient flexibility to yield elastomeric products [styrene-1,3-butadiene rubbers (SBR)]. Most SBR rubbers (trade names Buna, GR-S, Philprene) are about 25% styrene-75% 1,3-butadiene copolymer produced by emulsion polymerization some are produced by anionic polymerization. About 2 billion pounds per year are produced in the United States. SBR is similar to natural rubber in tensile strength, has somewhat better ozone resistance and weatherability but has poorer resilience and greater heat buildup. SBR can be blended with oil (referred to as oil-extended SBR) to lower raw material costs without excessive loss of physical properties. SBR is also blended with other polymers to combine properties. The major use for SBR is in tires. Other uses include belting, hose, molded and extruded goods, flooring, shoe soles, coated fabrics, and electrical insulation. 

Fluoroelastomers excel compared to all other elastomers in heat, chemical, flame, weathering, fuel, and ozone resistance. In addition oil, oxygen, and water resistance are very good. The fluoroelastomers, however, are attacked by amines and some highly polar solvents. The abrasion resistance and low temperature properties are adequate for most applications. 

Vinyl Acetate—Ethylene Copolymers. In these random copolymers, the ratio of ethylene to vinyl acetate (EVA) is varied from 30—60%. As the vinyl acetate content increases, the oil and heat resistance increases. With higher ethylene content the physical strength, tensile, and tear increases. The polymers are cured with peroxide. The main properties of these elastomers include heat resistance, moderate oil and solvent resistance, low compression set, good weather resistance, high damping, excellent ozone resistance, and they can be easily colored (see Vinyl polymers, polyvinyl acetate)). 

Poly(vinylcarbazole), of course, is the polymer that is generally utilized in electrophotographic imaging processes such as xerography, but the polymer is not totally satisfactory from a mechanical viewpoint (Section 1.11.2.1.1). Better strength, flexibility, ozone resistance and adhesive properties were said to result by utilizing a modified poly(epichlorohydrin)... 

Chlorosulphonated polyethylene was first introduced by DuPont as Hypalon, a trade name in the year 1952. Chlorosulphonated polyethylene compounds have good heat and oxygen and ozone resistance, moderate oil resistance and excellent electrical properties, but their main features for use in the chemical process industries is their resistance to strong oxidizing chemicals. 

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