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Photodegradation of thermoplastic elastomeric rubber-polyethylene blends

Lookup NU author(s): Jonathan Heslop, Emeritus Professor Jim White

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Abstract

The photodegradation of a new family of thermoplastic elastomers, based on blends of natural rubber and polyethylene, was studied with laboratory ultraviolet exposures in the unstrained state and under tensile strain (25 and 50%). Strained exposure caused reduction of the strain to failure in subsequent tensile tests. The blends were more resistant to degradation than the natural rubber homopolymer. The introduction of crosslinks (at a low concentration so that the thermoplastic nature of the blends was retained) changed the resistance to photo-oxidation. Two different crosslinking systems were used. When dicumyl peroxide was used as the crosslinking agent, the resistance to degradation was reduced, whereas the compound containing a sulfur curing system showed improved resistance to photodegradation. Photo-oxidation rather than ozone degradation was found to be the major cause of breakdown, even with samples held in tension. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 86.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Heslop J; White JR; Bhowmick AK

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Applied Polymer Science

Year: 2002

Volume: 86

Issue: 10

Pages: 2393-2402

ISSN (print): 0021-8995

ISSN (electronic): 1097-4628

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.10831

DOI: 10.1002/app.10831

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