Rubber items are significantly used in transportation, agricultural & industrial production, and national defense construction. On the other hand, antioxidants are a set of essential chemicals with extensive use in rubber items. These rubber products may become sticky, brittle, hard, or cracked after prolonged use because of being exposed to ozone, light, heat, catalysis of heavy metals like copper, radiation, redox processes, and erosion of chemicals and molds.
O3 oxidative deterioration is the common cause of rubber aging due to the powerful oxidation impact of the superoxide anion
radical produced by O2. Rubber aging degrades its performance and can result in a complete loss of value. This makes room for
the inclusion of the antioxidant in rubber.
Chemical antioxidants are mixed into synthetic rubber and natural rubber during mastication. Mastication converts the rubber from
a strong and elastic state to a soft and plastic state. The antioxidants can also be sent back to the environment because of
oxidative deterioration and can produce novel compounds as well.
Stages of Rubber-aging Process
The process of rubber aging consists of three stages:
Initiation,
Reaction, and
Termination
The physical antioxidants are typically used during the initial stage of rubber aging. O3 and film-isolating oxygen are developed on the rubber product surface by straight applying or spraying. It helps in the prevention of rubber aging. Conversely, chemical antioxidants are generally useful in addressing the reaction stage of rubber aging.
Various chemical antioxidants are included in various fracture modes of the molecular chain of raw rubber materials to prevent the
growth reaction chain during the rubber aging process. These chemical antioxidants are usually classified as phenolic, amine, phosphite, nickel salts, and heterocyclic antioxidants as per their chemical structure.
Several rubber antioxidants are used as a mixture during rubber production to boost performance and ensure an anti-aging effect.
Here are the names of some rubber antioxidants:
Amine Antioxidants: This rubber antioxidant is used widely in the rubber industry and helps slow down the aging process.
Phenolic Antioxidants: It is majorly used in light-colored rubber products.
Heterocyclic Antioxidants: It is ideal for preventing thermal and oxygen aging.
Phosphite Antioxidants: It can endow rubber products with significant heat resistance properties.
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