Improving Quality and Performance of Automotive Rubber Parts

A new chemical composition for the protection of vulcanized rubber products has been developed, and its effectiveness has been proven in a number of natural and synthetic rubber products. The new product is based on the surface chemistry of polymers, whereby, a high concentration of an effective system is introduced into the surface of the rubber for its protection against deterioration caused by weathering and ozone attack. Ozone cracking, oxidation, flex cracking and flex fatigue are controlled by chemically treating the surface of rubber. The system provides resistance to ozone attack and an effective singlet oxygen quencher that pre vents polymer degradation. The product provides a simple and cost effective method to extend the service life of new and in-service products, and improves their performance. The new concept makes possible the use of low cost elastomers for applications demanding superior resistance to ozone.