Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/198658

Title

Investigation of the hydrothermal stability of cross-linked liquid silicone rubber (LSR)

Author(s)

Ghanbari-Siahkali, Afshin;  Mitra, Susanta;  Kingshott, Peter;  Almdal, Kristoffer;  Bloch, Carsten;  Rehmeier, Helle Kem

Abstract

We investigate the hydrothermal stability of cross-linked liquid silicone rubber (LSR) in water at 100 °C up to period of two years. Optical microscopy of cross-sections of the exposed samples reveal that only the outer 100 μm of the surface layer is affected after two years. However, the surface chemistry of the material after prolonged exposure becomes significantly modified, as monitored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), which probes depths of 10 nm and 1 μm, respectively. In addition, changes to the bulk physical properties of the rubber samples, prior to and after the exposure, were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Micro-hardness analysis showed that surface roughness of the two year exposed sample increased from 60 (IRHD) to 75 (IRHD). Furthermore, the volume change (%) measurement showed a significant decrease in the course of exposure at prolonged time. The results provide the experimental basis for development of LSR materials suitable for numerous technical applications.

Publication type

Journal article

Source

Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 90, no. 3 (Dec 2005), pp. 471-480

Publication year

2005

FOR Code(s)

0303 Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry;  0904 Chemical Engineering;  0912 Materials Engineering

Keyword(s)

ATR-FTIR;  Chemical degradation;  Crosslinking;  Differential scanning calorimetry;  DSC;  Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy;  Hydrothermal synthesis;  Liquid silicone rubber;  Optical microscopy;  Physical properties;  Polymer blends;  Rubber;  Silicon;  Surface hardness;  TGA;  Thermodynamic stability;  Thermogravimetric analysis;  Volume change;  X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy;  XPS

Publisher

Elsevier

ISSN

0141-3910

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2005.04.016

Copyright

Copyright © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Peer reviewed