Analytical Methods for Degradation of Rubber and Plastics Materials

Abstract

While polymer materials such as rubber, plastics, fiber, etc. are indispensable for modern industrial products because of characteristics not found in metals and inorganic materials, their greatest disadvantage is the susceptibility to degradation. Even degradation of a small part makes it impossible for a product to maintain its functions and leads to trouble. In order to take adequate measures against troubles, it is necessary to specify the cause of degradation using chemical analysis. However, the degradation is a complicated and imhomogeneous phenomenon, so this is not an easy task. To perform the analysis, the information of trouble products about history and environment, the knowledge of characteristics (especially weak points) of the polymer materials and analytical methods, and advanced analytical instruments and methods are necessary. We will explain degradation factors of polymer materials and various analytical methods.