Ozone and Rubber Ageing – Causes, Effects, and Testing Solutions
Rubber ageing is influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, mechanical stress, and UV light — but one of the major causes is atmospheric ozone.
Rubber products like tires, cable insulation, O-rings, and hoses are often made from elastomers containing olefinic double bonds, which are highly sensitive to ozone. When exposed to ozone, especially under mechanical strain, cracks can form. This process accelerates under dynamic operation, leading to:
- Tire bursts
- Cable insulation breakdown and possible ignition
- Cracking of petrol hoses
Ozone-Induced Rubber Damage
When ozone attacks rubber, the molecular structure breaks down, especially in stressed or stretched areas. Over time, this can cause visible cracks and a loss of mechanical integrity.
Key risk factors include:
- Higher ozone concentration in the atmosphere
- Constant or cyclic mechanical load
- Elevated temperature and humidity
Standards for Ozone Resistance Testing
To understand and prevent ozone damage, various international standards specify testing procedures:
- DIN, ISO, VDE, SAE, ASTM
These describe static and dynamic test methods to evaluate rubber resistance against ozone.
Typical test procedure:
- Rubber samples are stretched to a defined elongation.
- Ozone is applied under controlled temperature, humidity, and air velocity.
- Crack formation and material degradation are monitored.
Anseros Ozone Test Chambers
Anseros specialises in ozone technology and offers a wide range of ozone test chambers for rubber ageing analysis:
- SIM Pocket – Compact unit for small-scale tests.
- SIM 6010 – Small ozone testing box
- SIM 6050 – Ozone testing chamber for textiles
- SIM 6300 – Ozon test chamber for rubber ageing testing
- SIM 7300-TH – Ozone climate simulator according high standards (ISO1431, ASTM D 1149, etc.)
- SIM 7500-TH – Big volume ozone climate simulator for high capacities of test pieces
- SIM 8000 – Large chamber fully equipped with ozone technology to test several tires simultaneously.
With precise ozone concentration control and stable environmental conditions, these chambers provide reliable, repeatable test results in compliance with international standards.
Discover the latest developments in ozone testing technology from Anseros – ensuring safer, longer-lasting rubber products.