Cracking, structural, and mechanical property changes of SIBR and related elastomers during the ozone aging process

The evolution of the structure, cracks and mechanical properties of Styrene-Isoprene-Butadiene Rubber (SIBR) during ozone aging process is investigated in this work. SIBR is a new type of tire tread rubber, and ozone aging is a key factor affecting the service life of tires. Therefore, it is very important to study the ozone aging performance of SIBR. The changes in the microstructure of the rubber at the ozone crack are innovatively monitored by the microscope-infrared technology in this work. The rubber is more prone to undergo ozone aging at the ozone crack. SIBR mainly participates in the ozone aging reaction where concentrated on the cracks. Therefore, the number of cracks on the surface of SIBR is relatively smaller. In comparison with Solution polymerization Styrene Butadiene Rubber and Neodymium Catalyzed-Isoprene Rubber (Nd-IR), the initial cracking time of SIBR is in the middle of the initial cracking time of SSBR and Nd-IR, and the growth rate of ozone cracks in SIBR is slower. In summary, SIBR has better resistance to ozone cracking.