Speaker
Description
Elastomers are renowned for their ability to undergo significant deformations and recover their original shape when the acting forces are removed. However, prolonged exposure of this type of polymer to heat, UV light or chemicals can alter the original elastic material structure and therefore be the reason for a pronounced decrease of material performance. Given the importance of lifetime estimation in field of design and manufacturing, the elastomer characteristics and their dependence on environmental influences must be properly investigated to prevent premature component failure. This study, currently in its very early stages, focuses on the comparison of the selected filled and unfilled natural rubber compounds and their differences in mechanical capabilities. The environmental effects are be represented by the thermal ageing, the brief principle, the methods and the results of which will be presented and discussed with the goal of establishing the critical ageing time for individual materials.
