During the use of rubber hoses, the properties of rubber will change due to the combined influence of various factors, causing the performance of rubber and its products to gradually decrease over time until they are damaged and lose their use value. This process is called rubber aging. Rubber hose aging will cause economic losses, and to reduce these losses, one of the methods is to slow down aging to extend the life of the hose. To slow down aging, we must first understand the factors that cause hose aging.
Oxidation
Oxidation reaction is one of the important reasons for rubber aging. Oxygen will react with certain substances in the rubber hose, causing changes in rubber properties.
High temperature
Increasing the temperature will accelerate the reaction rate of the oxidation reaction, thereby accelerating aging. On the other hand, when the temperature reaches the corresponding level, the rubber itself will undergo reactions such as thermal cracking, which will affect the performance of the rubber.
Light
Light also has energy, and the shorter the light wave, the greater the energy. Among them, ultraviolet rays are a type of light with higher energy, which can damage rubber. Rubber generates free radicals due to the absorption of light energy, which triggers and accelerates the oxidation chain reaction. On the other hand, light also plays a heating role.
When rubber is exposed to humid air or soaked in water, the water-soluble substances in the rubber will be extracted and dissolved by the water, especially in the case of water immersion and atmospheric exposure, which will accelerate the destruction of the rubber.