Rubber Basics

Author: R.B. Simpson
ISBN 978-1-85957-307-5

Published: 2002
pages: 150,tables: 59, figures: 26

$144.00

The Rubber Basics book comprises a glossary of terms used in the rubber industry, a detailed description of the common rubber materials, a section on rubber additives, and an outline of the equipment types used in rubber processing.

The book aims to be a useful desktop reference book for anyone in the rubber industry. It provides a quick means of obtaining information about key subjects. It is simple enough to be understood by someone with a basic knowledge of the industry, but comprehensive enough to provide additional information for experienced workers moving into new areas.

Many abbreviations are found in the industry and the glossary contains a good number of entries defining these. Terms relating to many aspects of the industry are included in materials, additives, physical test methods and machinery types to analytical test equipment. Examples include Adiabatic, Conductive Rubber, Dolly, Mooney Scorch Test, Rubbone, and Whiting.

A useful short section lists the specific gravities of common rubbers and compounding ingredients, an important factor in material selection.

The section on rubbers is derived from the Rapra material selection programme known as Rubacams. It includes basic chemical structures for each rubber type together with information about material properties and uses. The material types covered range from natural rubber through polysulphide rubbers to thermoplastic elastomers.

Rubber compounding ingredients are listed and discussed from accelerators to waxes. The role of each ingredient in rubber compounding is described, together with general comments on usefulness and some of the issues involved. For example, titanium dioxide is generally used as a whitening agent but is also a useful reinforcing agent, the limiting factor being cost.

Rubber processing involves a wide variety of equipment from bale heaters to tyre retreading and testing machinery. This section describes each type in turn and its uses. Thus moulding, extrusion, hose braiding and dipping are all covered in this section.

Section 1: Glossary of Rubber Terms
Section 2: Specific Gravities of Some Rubbers and Compounding Ingredients

Section 3: Rubbers including:
Natural Rubber, Nitrile Rubbers, Polyisoprene, Polybutadiene, Epichlorohydrin Polymers, Polychloroprene, Polynorbornene Butyl Rubbers, Styrene-Butadiene Rubber, Ethylene-Propylene Rubber, Chlorosulphonated Polyethylene, Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer, Ethylene-Acrylic Rubber, Polyacrylate Rubbers, Silicone Rubbers, Ebonite, Polysulphide Rubber, Propylene Oxide-Allyl Glycidyl Ether Copolymer, Polyurethane Elastomers, Fluorocarbon Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers.

Section 4: Rubber Compounding Ingredients including:
Accelerators, Antidegradants, Blowing Agents, Dusting and Anti-Tack Agents, Factice, Fillers, Fire Retardants, Peroxides, Petroleum Oils, Pigments, Prevulcanisation Inhibitors, Release Agents, Vulcanising Agents, and Waxes

Section 5: Rubber Processing Equipment including
Autoclaves, Cable Manufacturing, Calenders, Compression Moulding Presses, Conveyors, Cutting Equipment, Deflashing, Dipping, Dusting Devices, Extruders, Granulators, Shredders, Grinders, Hose Machinery, Injection Moulding Machines, Internal Mixers, Marking Devices, Metal Preparation for Bonding, Mills, Mixers for Rubber Dough, Moulds, Ovens, Preheaters, Presses, Spreading Machines, Transfer Moulding and Tyre Building Equipment

Richard Simpson is an expert in rubber processing and testing, having worked at Rapra in a senior capacity for many years.

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Ageing of Rubber - Acc...

$210.00

{"id":11242241668,"title":"Ageing of Rubber - Accelerated Heat Ageing Test Results","handle":"978-1-85957-274-0","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\nAuthor: R.P. Brown, T. Butler, and S.W. Hawley \u003cbr\u003eISBN 978-1-85957-274-0 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePages: 208, Figures 169, Tables: 41\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eSummary\u003c\/h5\u003e\nThis report is an output from the Weathering of Elastomers and Sealants project, which forms part of the UK government's Department of Trade and Industry's Degradation of Materials in Aggressive Environments Program. \u003cbr\u003eA long-term natural ageing program was started in 1958 when 19 rubber compounds were exposed at 3 locations. The final sets of test pieces were withdrawn in 1998 giving a total of 40 years of natural ageing. The results of the physical tests carried out at intervals over the period were published in 2000 by Rapra in 'Natural Ageing of Rubber-Changes in Physical Properties over 40 Years'. \u003cbr\u003eThis report details the results of accelerated heat ageing studies undertaken on re-mixed samples of those materials studied for the natural ageing study and on the 20 new compounds chosen to represent polymers not available in 1958 and to reflect changes in compounding practice. \u003cbr\u003eIn addition to those properties studied for the artificial weathering exposures, compression set and dynamic properties were also measured. \u003cbr\u003eThe results of all these tests are again presented graphically and tabulated, allowing the rate of deterioration of properties to be followed. As the number of graphs are too voluminous to be reproduced in total, those for hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break and 100% modulus are given. \u003cbr\u003eExtrapolation of the accelerated results to longer times at lower temperatures was attempted by two approaches - the Arrhenius relation and the WLF equation - and compression set results analyzed using a dose rate equation. Predictions are made for change at 23°C and 40°C to equate to long-term natural ageing under temperate and hot dry conditions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n1. Introduction \u003cbr\u003e2. Materials \u003cbr\u003e2.1 Original Materials \u003cbr\u003e2.2 New Materials \u003cbr\u003e3. Preparation of Test Pieces \u003cbr\u003e4. Physical Tests \u003cbr\u003e5. Exposure of Test Pieces \u003cbr\u003e6. Results \u003cbr\u003e6.1 Presentation \u003cbr\u003e6.2 Uncertainty \u003cbr\u003e6.3 Prediction of Natural Ageing \u003cbr\u003e7. Discussion \u003cbr\u003e7.1 Change with Time \u003cbr\u003e7.1.1 General \u003cbr\u003e7.1.2 Hardness \u003cbr\u003e7.1.3 Modulus \u003cbr\u003e7.1.4 Tensile Strength \u003cbr\u003e7.1.5 Elongation at Break \u003cbr\u003e7.1.6 DMTA \u003cbr\u003e7.1.7 Compression Set \u003cbr\u003e7.2 Predictions \u003cbr\u003e7.2.1 General \u003cbr\u003e7.2.2 Hardness \u003cbr\u003e7.2.3 Modulus \u003cbr\u003e7.2.4 Tensile Strength \u003cbr\u003e7.2.5 Elongation at Break \u003cbr\u003e7.2.6 DMTA \u003cbr\u003e7.2.7 Compression Set \u003cbr\u003e7.2.8 Choice of Analysis Method \u003cbr\u003e7.2.9 Effectiveness of the Predictions \u003cbr\u003e8. Conclusions \u003cbr\u003eReferences\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","published_at":"2017-06-22T21:14:49-04:00","created_at":"2017-06-22T21:14:49-04:00","vendor":"Chemtec Publishing","type":"Book","tags":["2001","ageing","elongation","hardness","heat","physical tests","r-properties","rubber","sealants","tensile strength","weathering"],"price":21000,"price_min":21000,"price_max":21000,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":43378441668,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Ageing of Rubber - Accelerated Heat Ageing Test Results","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":21000,"weight":1000,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":0,"inventory_management":null,"inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-85957-274-0","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/chemtec.org\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978-1-85957-274-0.jpg?v=1498186978"],"featured_image":"\/\/chemtec.org\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978-1-85957-274-0.jpg?v=1498186978","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":350147608669,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.767,"height":450,"width":345,"src":"\/\/chemtec.org\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978-1-85957-274-0.jpg?v=1498186978"},"aspect_ratio":0.767,"height":450,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/chemtec.org\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978-1-85957-274-0.jpg?v=1498186978","width":345}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\nAuthor: R.P. Brown, T. Butler, and S.W. Hawley \u003cbr\u003eISBN 978-1-85957-274-0 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePages: 208, Figures 169, Tables: 41\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eSummary\u003c\/h5\u003e\nThis report is an output from the Weathering of Elastomers and Sealants project, which forms part of the UK government's Department of Trade and Industry's Degradation of Materials in Aggressive Environments Program. \u003cbr\u003eA long-term natural ageing program was started in 1958 when 19 rubber compounds were exposed at 3 locations. The final sets of test pieces were withdrawn in 1998 giving a total of 40 years of natural ageing. The results of the physical tests carried out at intervals over the period were published in 2000 by Rapra in 'Natural Ageing of Rubber-Changes in Physical Properties over 40 Years'. \u003cbr\u003eThis report details the results of accelerated heat ageing studies undertaken on re-mixed samples of those materials studied for the natural ageing study and on the 20 new compounds chosen to represent polymers not available in 1958 and to reflect changes in compounding practice. \u003cbr\u003eIn addition to those properties studied for the artificial weathering exposures, compression set and dynamic properties were also measured. \u003cbr\u003eThe results of all these tests are again presented graphically and tabulated, allowing the rate of deterioration of properties to be followed. As the number of graphs are too voluminous to be reproduced in total, those for hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break and 100% modulus are given. \u003cbr\u003eExtrapolation of the accelerated results to longer times at lower temperatures was attempted by two approaches - the Arrhenius relation and the WLF equation - and compression set results analyzed using a dose rate equation. Predictions are made for change at 23°C and 40°C to equate to long-term natural ageing under temperate and hot dry conditions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n1. Introduction \u003cbr\u003e2. Materials \u003cbr\u003e2.1 Original Materials \u003cbr\u003e2.2 New Materials \u003cbr\u003e3. Preparation of Test Pieces \u003cbr\u003e4. Physical Tests \u003cbr\u003e5. Exposure of Test Pieces \u003cbr\u003e6. Results \u003cbr\u003e6.1 Presentation \u003cbr\u003e6.2 Uncertainty \u003cbr\u003e6.3 Prediction of Natural Ageing \u003cbr\u003e7. Discussion \u003cbr\u003e7.1 Change with Time \u003cbr\u003e7.1.1 General \u003cbr\u003e7.1.2 Hardness \u003cbr\u003e7.1.3 Modulus \u003cbr\u003e7.1.4 Tensile Strength \u003cbr\u003e7.1.5 Elongation at Break \u003cbr\u003e7.1.6 DMTA \u003cbr\u003e7.1.7 Compression Set \u003cbr\u003e7.2 Predictions \u003cbr\u003e7.2.1 General \u003cbr\u003e7.2.2 Hardness \u003cbr\u003e7.2.3 Modulus \u003cbr\u003e7.2.4 Tensile Strength \u003cbr\u003e7.2.5 Elongation at Break \u003cbr\u003e7.2.6 DMTA \u003cbr\u003e7.2.7 Compression Set \u003cbr\u003e7.2.8 Choice of Analysis Method \u003cbr\u003e7.2.9 Effectiveness of the Predictions \u003cbr\u003e8. Conclusions \u003cbr\u003eReferences\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e"}

End-of-Life Tyres-Expl...

$450.00

{"id":11242225092,"title":"End-of-Life Tyres-Exploiting their Value","handle":"978-1-85957-241-2","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\nAuthor: P.W. Dufton \u003cbr\u003eISBN 978-1-85957-241-2 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePages: 210, Figures: 7, Tables: 50\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eSummary\u003c\/h5\u003e\nMuch has happened recently in the field of waste management and this has had a strong impact on the handling of used tires. This Rapra Industry Analysis Report provides up-to-date data and comment about the progress in the UK, Europe and North America in the handling of the problem of used tires once removed from vehicles. Legislation in Europe is concentrating the minds of authorities and operators alike, to provide sustainable solutions to the recovery and recycling of these tires and to maximize the benefit from such activity. \u003cbr\u003eThe report considers the various options for the recovery and recycling of used tires. A brief description of tire construction and design is accompanied by a discussion of trends in tire manufacturing and how these may affect subsequent recycling. After an analysis of the retread industry and its relevance to the recycling issues, the different routes that a non-retreadable tire may take are examined: rubber crumb production, pyrolysis, reclaim rubber and other chemical or thermal processes that yield a selection of end products. The processes involved and the applications of the resulting materials are discussed. Recovery of energy from used Tires by incineration and the techniques involved is also reviewed. \u003cbr\u003eThe regulatory initiatives and legislative pressures likely to affect the management of end-of-life tires are considered with discussion of the situation in Europe, North America and Japan. Estimates are provided\u003cbr\u003efor the quantities of tires involved. Analysis of these figures allows comparison between the various recycling activities and the emerging trends are discussed. \u003cbr\u003eThe report is of interest to a range of different sectors from those responsible for waste management, regulatory bodies and local authorities through retreaders and recyclers to those who make rubber-containing products or who plan to enhance value from the materials contained in end-of-life tires.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAbout Author\u003c\/h5\u003e\nPeter W. Dufton graduated from Cambridge University in materials Science before taking a research degree for work on mechanical properties of high strength aircraft materials. He joined Dunlop in 1970 to work on tire reinforcement materials before moving within the company to technical support and product development in the Overseas Division. This was followed by a period as Overseas Business Development Manager in Dunlop Adhesives. Since joining Rapra in 1987, as a consultant in the business analysis and publishing areas, he has undertaken multi-client work in the field of market research on a range of topics. These include tires, fire-related matters, wire and cable and various other end-use sectors for the polymers, individual polymer materials development and compounding additives. He is also the author of several reports in the Rapra Industry Analysis Series.","published_at":"2017-06-22T21:13:58-04:00","created_at":"2017-06-22T21:13:58-04:00","vendor":"Chemtec Publishing","type":"Book","tags":["2001","acrylate rubber","book","crumb","incineration","plastics","pyrolysis","r-properties","recovery","recycling","rubber","tires","waste"],"price":45000,"price_min":45000,"price_max":45000,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":43378390404,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"End-of-Life Tyres-Exploiting their Value","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":45000,"weight":1000,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":1,"inventory_management":null,"inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-85957-241-2","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/chemtec.org\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978-1-85957-241-2.jpg?v=1499727385"],"featured_image":"\/\/chemtec.org\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978-1-85957-241-2.jpg?v=1499727385","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":354794504285,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.767,"height":450,"width":345,"src":"\/\/chemtec.org\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978-1-85957-241-2.jpg?v=1499727385"},"aspect_ratio":0.767,"height":450,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/chemtec.org\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978-1-85957-241-2.jpg?v=1499727385","width":345}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\nAuthor: P.W. Dufton \u003cbr\u003eISBN 978-1-85957-241-2 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePages: 210, Figures: 7, Tables: 50\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eSummary\u003c\/h5\u003e\nMuch has happened recently in the field of waste management and this has had a strong impact on the handling of used tires. This Rapra Industry Analysis Report provides up-to-date data and comment about the progress in the UK, Europe and North America in the handling of the problem of used tires once removed from vehicles. Legislation in Europe is concentrating the minds of authorities and operators alike, to provide sustainable solutions to the recovery and recycling of these tires and to maximize the benefit from such activity. \u003cbr\u003eThe report considers the various options for the recovery and recycling of used tires. A brief description of tire construction and design is accompanied by a discussion of trends in tire manufacturing and how these may affect subsequent recycling. After an analysis of the retread industry and its relevance to the recycling issues, the different routes that a non-retreadable tire may take are examined: rubber crumb production, pyrolysis, reclaim rubber and other chemical or thermal processes that yield a selection of end products. The processes involved and the applications of the resulting materials are discussed. Recovery of energy from used Tires by incineration and the techniques involved is also reviewed. \u003cbr\u003eThe regulatory initiatives and legislative pressures likely to affect the management of end-of-life tires are considered with discussion of the situation in Europe, North America and Japan. Estimates are provided\u003cbr\u003efor the quantities of tires involved. Analysis of these figures allows comparison between the various recycling activities and the emerging trends are discussed. \u003cbr\u003eThe report is of interest to a range of different sectors from those responsible for waste management, regulatory bodies and local authorities through retreaders and recyclers to those who make rubber-containing products or who plan to enhance value from the materials contained in end-of-life tires.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAbout Author\u003c\/h5\u003e\nPeter W. Dufton graduated from Cambridge University in materials Science before taking a research degree for work on mechanical properties of high strength aircraft materials. He joined Dunlop in 1970 to work on tire reinforcement materials before moving within the company to technical support and product development in the Overseas Division. This was followed by a period as Overseas Business Development Manager in Dunlop Adhesives. Since joining Rapra in 1987, as a consultant in the business analysis and publishing areas, he has undertaken multi-client work in the field of market research on a range of topics. These include tires, fire-related matters, wire and cable and various other end-use sectors for the polymers, individual polymer materials development and compounding additives. He is also the author of several reports in the Rapra Industry Analysis Series."}

Natural Ageing of Rubb...

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{"id":11242258564,"title":"Natural Ageing of Rubber: Changes in Physical Properties Over 40 Years","handle":"978-1-85957-209-2","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\nAuthor: R.P. Brown and T. Butler \u003cbr\u003eISBN 978-1-85957-209-2 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003epages 175\n\u003ch5\u003eSummary\u003c\/h5\u003e\nA unique collection of long-term ageing data, available for the first time, from Rapra Technology Limited. \u003cbr\u003eThis report is an output from the Weathering of Elastomers and Sealants project which forms part of the UK government’s Department of Trade and Industry’s Degradation of Materials in Aggressive Environments Programme. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRapra Technology Limited has just completed a comprehensive natural ageing and physical testing programme on 19 rubber compounds, stored in controlled conditions, for a period of 40 years. This is believed to be the most extensive such study ever carried out. Now, for the first time, all the results of this unique programme have been published in this report. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe properties of natural and synthetic rubbers suit them to a diverse range of applications, many of which demand a prolonged service life, and the retention of some or all of their mechanical properties for years or even decades. When the ageing programme was conceived in the 1950s, rubber product manufacturers were faced with a wider range of raw rubbers than had ever been available before. The relatively recent development of some of these materials also meant that there was little information available regarding their longevity. Thus the need was identified for a systematic programme of storage and testing. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRubber formulations were selected to represent those used in a wide range of applications, including general purpose and ‘good ageing’ grades. Remarkably, most of these formulations are still representative of compounds being specified today. The following rubbers were studied: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e-Natural rubber \u003cbr\u003e-Styrene-butadiene rubber \u003cbr\u003e-Butyl rubber \u003cbr\u003e-Polychloroprene \u003cbr\u003e-Nitrile rubber \u003cbr\u003e-Acrylate rubber \u003cbr\u003e-Chlorosulphonated polyethylene \u003cbr\u003e-Polysulphide rubber \u003cbr\u003e-Silicone rubber \u003cbr\u003eSamples were stored under temperate and tropical climatic conditions, and at various intervals, the following properties were measured: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e-Hardness \u003cbr\u003e-Volume change \u003cbr\u003e-Resilience \u003cbr\u003e-Volume and surface resistivity \u003cbr\u003e-Tensile strength Elongation at break \u003cbr\u003e-Modulus at 100% and 300% elongation \u003cbr\u003e-Long and short-term compression set \u003cbr\u003e-Low temperature stiffness \u003cbr\u003eThe results of all these tests are presented graphically in this report, allowing the rate of deterioration of properties and the influence of the environment to be clearly seen. Properties after 40 years are also tabulated, together with calculations of percentage change. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis information will prove invaluable to anyone specifying or supplying rubber materials or components. Further work is now being carried out on the properties of the same formulations after accelerated ageing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","published_at":"2017-06-22T21:15:39-04:00","created_at":"2017-06-22T21:15:39-04:00","vendor":"Chemtec Publishing","type":"Book","tags":["2000","acrylate rubber","book","butyl rubber","compounding of rubber","compression","elongation at break","hardness","health","natural rubber","nitrile rubber","polychloroprene","polysulphide rubber","r-compounding","r-properties","resilience","rubber","safety","silicone rubber","styrene-butadiene rubber","surface resistivity","tensile strength","toxicity","volume change","volume resistivity"],"price":22000,"price_min":22000,"price_max":22000,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":43378507908,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Natural Ageing of Rubber: Changes in Physical Properties Over 40 Years","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":22000,"weight":1000,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":1,"inventory_management":null,"inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-85957-209-2","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/chemtec.org\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978-1-85957-209-2.jpg?v=1499727722"],"featured_image":"\/\/chemtec.org\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978-1-85957-209-2.jpg?v=1499727722","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":358525337693,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.767,"height":450,"width":345,"src":"\/\/chemtec.org\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978-1-85957-209-2.jpg?v=1499727722"},"aspect_ratio":0.767,"height":450,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/chemtec.org\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978-1-85957-209-2.jpg?v=1499727722","width":345}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\nAuthor: R.P. Brown and T. Butler \u003cbr\u003eISBN 978-1-85957-209-2 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003epages 175\n\u003ch5\u003eSummary\u003c\/h5\u003e\nA unique collection of long-term ageing data, available for the first time, from Rapra Technology Limited. \u003cbr\u003eThis report is an output from the Weathering of Elastomers and Sealants project which forms part of the UK government’s Department of Trade and Industry’s Degradation of Materials in Aggressive Environments Programme. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRapra Technology Limited has just completed a comprehensive natural ageing and physical testing programme on 19 rubber compounds, stored in controlled conditions, for a period of 40 years. This is believed to be the most extensive such study ever carried out. Now, for the first time, all the results of this unique programme have been published in this report. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe properties of natural and synthetic rubbers suit them to a diverse range of applications, many of which demand a prolonged service life, and the retention of some or all of their mechanical properties for years or even decades. When the ageing programme was conceived in the 1950s, rubber product manufacturers were faced with a wider range of raw rubbers than had ever been available before. The relatively recent development of some of these materials also meant that there was little information available regarding their longevity. Thus the need was identified for a systematic programme of storage and testing. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRubber formulations were selected to represent those used in a wide range of applications, including general purpose and ‘good ageing’ grades. Remarkably, most of these formulations are still representative of compounds being specified today. The following rubbers were studied: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e-Natural rubber \u003cbr\u003e-Styrene-butadiene rubber \u003cbr\u003e-Butyl rubber \u003cbr\u003e-Polychloroprene \u003cbr\u003e-Nitrile rubber \u003cbr\u003e-Acrylate rubber \u003cbr\u003e-Chlorosulphonated polyethylene \u003cbr\u003e-Polysulphide rubber \u003cbr\u003e-Silicone rubber \u003cbr\u003eSamples were stored under temperate and tropical climatic conditions, and at various intervals, the following properties were measured: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e-Hardness \u003cbr\u003e-Volume change \u003cbr\u003e-Resilience \u003cbr\u003e-Volume and surface resistivity \u003cbr\u003e-Tensile strength Elongation at break \u003cbr\u003e-Modulus at 100% and 300% elongation \u003cbr\u003e-Long and short-term compression set \u003cbr\u003e-Low temperature stiffness \u003cbr\u003eThe results of all these tests are presented graphically in this report, allowing the rate of deterioration of properties and the influence of the environment to be clearly seen. Properties after 40 years are also tabulated, together with calculations of percentage change. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis information will prove invaluable to anyone specifying or supplying rubber materials or components. Further work is now being carried out on the properties of the same formulations after accelerated ageing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e"}