What is the mechanism of action of rubber anti-aging agents?
Rubber anti-aging agent, literally understood, is an additive that prevents (slows down) rubber aging.
So let’s first talk about the mechanism of aging: most of the aging of rubber is the process of generating free radicals (active groups) after being affected by external factors such as oxidation, high temperature, mechanical force, weather, radiation, etc. Most free radicals are generated due to the breakage of molecular chains under external influences, so the production of free radicals is often accompanied by the degradation of rubber (just like when a molecular chain is snapped, and the broken part is not sealed, it is a free radical); And the instability of free radicals can trigger further reactions:
1. Further degradation.
2. The molecular chains of exercise bind at the site of free radicals, that is, cross-linking occurs.
Of course, when degradation dominates, the overall performance of rubber is degradation, that is, softening; If there are a large number of crosslinks, the rubber as a whole will become harder.
If the aging mechanism above is clarified, the mechanism of anti-aging agents will be simpler. As far as I know, anti-aging agents have two functions:
1. Absorb free radicals generated by external influences to prevent further degradation or cross-linking.
2. Separated from the rubber surface, forming a protective film to block external influences.
