Synergistic effect of thermal oxygen and UV aging on natural rubber
Zhou Meng-Zhen,
Wang Hao-Ran,
Guo Xing,
Wei Yan-Chan,
Liao Shuangquan
Affiliations
Zhou Meng-Zhen
Natural Rubber Cooperative Innovation Center of Hainan Province and Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, China
Wang Hao-Ran
Natural Rubber Cooperative Innovation Center of Hainan Province and Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, China
Guo Xing
Natural Rubber Cooperative Innovation Center of Hainan Province and Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, China
Wei Yan-Chan
Natural Rubber Cooperative Innovation Center of Hainan Province and Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, China
Liao Shuangquan
Natural Rubber Cooperative Innovation Center of Hainan Province and Ministry of Education of China, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, China
The oxidation of natural rubber (NR) leads to a decrease in mechanical properties, even resulting in failure of NR products. Many studies focusing on this single factor have failed to fully elucidate the impact of tropical island environment on NR properties. Based on this concern, the synergistic effect of thermal oxygen and ultraviolet (UV) aging on NR was systematically studied. The results revealed that thermal oxygenation can promote UV aging, which leads to the appearance of surface cracks and deepening of color. With the extension of aging time, the mechanical properties of NR correspondingly decreased. Besides, to deeply understand the mechanism of the synergistic effect of thermal oxygen and UV aging on NR, we selected squalene to simulate and analyze the molecular structure changes in NR. Based on these results, a possible synergistic effect of thermal oxygen and UV aging mechanisms on NR could be proposed.
