Selected aspects on aging of elastomers

Selected aspects on aging of elastomers
U. Giese, R. H. Schuster
Deutsches Institut für Kautschuktechnologie e. V., Hannover

The service life of elastomer components is determined largely by aging processes. Over the course of time mechanical-dynamic (fatigue), oxidation processes, temperature, exposure to UV light (photo oxidation) and to aggressive media lead to irreversible changes in the physical and chemical properties of an elastomer material, often resulting in premature functional failure of the component concerned. This paper focuses specifically on the temperature dependency and kinetic aspects of thermal-oxidative aging. On the one hand the influence of accelerators from sulfur crosslinking of diene rubbers is considered. On the other hand the influence of peroxide crosslinking and tempering processes are investigated. In this coherence peroxides with different crosslink efficiency and functionallity are used.