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Rubber antioxidants perform all the functions that rubber processing chemicals are supposed to do. These include preventing deterioration of the rubber material, which can be due to exposure to ozone, heat, and various other factors. There are several different types of rubber antioxidants that play an essential part in improving tires' longevity and performance. Below are some common antioxidants.
MPD, IPPD, and TMB 2 are typical representatives of this family. These antioxidants are mainly added to prevent the rubber from an oxidative cross-linking process caused by heat during processing; this is especially true in high-performance tires. These antioxidants are efficient and are mostly used to stabilize rubber.
This is a chemical that is commonly used as an accelerator and antioxidant in rubber formulations. TMTD does not directly inhibit oxidation and is mainly included in formulations to extend the tires' shelf life. It is mostly used in combination with other antioxidants that oxidative damage primarily targets.
These are synthetic antioxidants that include but are not limited to 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (DBMP) and 4-Methyl-2,6-bis(2',6'-dimethylbenzyl)phenol (BMDPB). The group is generally effective in preventing rubber from oxidizing due to environmental influences such as heat and oxygen. They are mainly preferred because of their efficiency in stabilizing certain elastomers.
These are mainly used to protect rubber from oxidative degradation, where sulfur is used to vulcanize the rubber. The antioxidant reduces the oxidative effects of the sulfur-vulcanization process. This group includes 6-tert-Butyl-2-(p-toluenesulfonyl) sulfanylmethyl-4-methylphenol (NnBS) and other similar compounds.
Rubber antioxidants are important within the tire industry, as they provide a large number of benefits. Below are some of their main applications.
Tires are continually exposed to changes in environmental conditions, one of which is ozone. Ozone can cause cracks in the rubber, weakening the structural integrity of the tire over time. Rubber antioxidants will inhibit the oxidation process, which will help minimize damage caused by ozone. This is particularly important for tires that operate in very high-ozone environments.
As a vehicle is driven, tires experience friction, which generates heat. This heat can cause the oxidation process, which degrades the rubber. Antioxidants are integral to preventing this oxidation, which in turn allows the tire to bear more heat without degrading. This application is especially important in heavy-duty industrial vehicles that operate over long distances.
With time, all tires naturally degrade due to environmental exposure, which can be ozone, heat, or even just aging. Rubber antioxidants slow down this oxidation, giving an ideal tire a much longer life. This is important in industries that require vehicles to have more than a set of tires on each vehicle, as it will reduce the rate at which tires have to be replaced.
Elastic rubber compounds with antioxidants tend to have a better performance when it comes to their grip on different road surfaces. This is because oxidative degradation weakens rubber, and with antioxidants, they reduce that weakening. Good grip reduces the chances of a tire skidding on the road, which can lead to accidents and hence improve safety.
Antioxidants will increase a tire's lifespan, which means less frequent tire replacement is needed. This can be a significant saving for industries that operate with a large number of vehicles. In addition, tires that last longer offer better protection from environmental elements, which eventually will reduce long-term costs of investing in new tires.
Various factors affect various rubber antioxidants' efficiencies and how long those rubber tire compounds will last. Below are several such factors.
Different rubbers have different compatibilities with certain antioxidants. Conventional neoprene and natural rubber will not need the same formulation as the more advanced synthetic elastomers. This affects how well the antioxidents will protect the rubber; for instance, phenolic antioxidants are ideal for protecting strong elastomers like Butyl rubber, as they will remain stable under any condition.
For some antioxidants like DTP, their activity can be reduced by high temperatures, which maybe not be very helpful when oxidizing rubber. These antioxidants will become inactive, exposing the rubber to oxidative damage. Generally, good-quality antioxidants should withstand those operating temperatures in a given environment.
The amount of unsaturated bond in the rubber compound will directly influence how much oxidative linkage will occur. The more the unsaturated bonds, the more oxidation will happen, thus requiring a stronger and more effective dose of antioxidants. Several synthetic elastomers used in tire-making have high unsaturated bond contents, which call for more antioxidants.
External conditions such as humidity and oxygen levels and internal conditions such as tire pressure influence the tire rubber's lifespan. High humidity will increase the oxidation process, while high oxygen content will promote oxidative degradation. Antioxidants will inhibit this degradation, but excessive exposure to these will reduce a tire's life.
Rubber formulations include various processing chemicals and additives, ranging from fillers to plasticizers, which will influence the effectiveness of antioxidants. Certain additives will either break down the antioxidants or enhance their properties, contributing to antioxidants' effectiveness in stabilizing tire rubber. For instance, combining antimony trioxide with phenolic antioxidants will give better oxidative protection.
The tire industry has a wide variety of rubber antioxidants to choose from and what will best suit the buyer's needs. Below are several considerations to keep in mind when choosing.
Tires are often exposed to very extreme conditions, such as high temperatures, rough terrain, and even chemical exposure. Understanding these helps the buyer choose suitable antioxidants. If for instance, the tires are intended for heavy load or off-road applications that generate a lot of heat, then heat-stable antioxidants will provide a better service.
Tires are made from several different rubber types. Each has several specific antioxidant requirements.Inature, natural and synthetic rubber will have different compatibilities with certain antioxidants. For instance, phenolic antioxidants will work well with Butyl rubber. Understanding the composition of the tire will help select the right type of antioxidant to give optimal performance.
Different vehicles will have different resistance requirements, such as abrasion or oxidation. For instance, vehicles assembled with tires used in chemical-rich environments will need antioxidants that can effectively reduce oxidative degradation, such as mercapto antioxidants.
The cost of antioxidants varies greatly depending on the type and what quantity is required. While phenolic antioxidants are very effective, they are also quite pricey. Buyers should consider how much the antioxidants required for the particular rubber compound will cost and weigh that against the benefits that they will bring.
Antioxidants like p-phenylenediamine have been banned in several countries due to the potentially harmful effects on the environment. This has constrained buyers to choose more ecologically friendly and greener antioxidants to comply with regulations. Rubber derivatives of naturally occurring antioxidants like tocopherol are a more environmentally acceptable alternative.
A1: Unfortunately no. Each tire will have different requirements for heat, abrasion, and oxidation, so the type of antioxidant that will protect rubber from degradation will depend on these factors.
A2: They improve the mechanical properties of the rubber and affect how antioxidants distribute themselves within the rubber matrix. Therefore, the type of filler in the rubber will influence the choice of antioxidant.
A3: Yes, studies revealed that long-term exposure to some phenolic antioxidants might increase the risk of cancer. While they are not harmful to tier rubber constituents, their destructive effects on the environment might pose health risks to people handling them.
A4: They do indirectly by inhibiting oxidative degradation, which keeps the rubber elastic. This preserves the tire's grip, contributing to better mechanical properties and enhancing performance.
