It is well known that rubbers in common use degrade on exposure to light and the deterioration is due to the ultraviolet portion of sunlight reaching the earth.
Ultraviolet light from sunlight and fluorescent lighting also has a seriously detrimental effect on rubber because it accelerates rubber deterioration by producing photochemical reactions that promote the oxidation of the rubber surface resulting in a loss in mechanical strength. This is known as 'UV degradation'.
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can have a detrimental affect on rubber compounds, however some hold up in this environment far better than others.
Organic rubber gaskets such as Buna-S (SBR), Buna-N (Nitrile), natural rubber, synthetic isoprene break down relatively quickly in UV exposure. Silicone and EPDM are two of the better UV resistant materials that are commercially available.
Silicone is another UV-resistant synthetic rubber. This type of elastomer is versatile, featuring properties including ozone and oxygen resistance, aging, and high-temperature resistance.
However, silicone coatings do not break down due to UV exposure. Despite this being one of the most common objections we hear when discussing silicone, it's not true. Thanks to its chemical formulation, silicone is actually extremely UV stable.
UV-resistant materials are not usually needed for indoor applications. Some materials break down fairly quickly once exposed to UV, including natural rubber (NR), Styrene-Butadiene (SBR), and Nitrile Rubber (NBR, Buna-N). NR rubber suffers from poor resistance to hydrocarbon oil, while SBR has poor resistance to oil.
303 Aerospace Protectant provides maximum UV protection for vinyl, rubber, fiberglass, plastic, Dacron and monofilm sails. 303 Aerospace Protectant immediately restores original color and gloss to faded hulls and Dacron sails.
Certain plastics such as acrylic, Ultem®, PVDF, and PTFE are inherently UV stable.
Explanation: Silicone is created using silicon and oxygen, whereas rubber is created using carbon-carbon bonds. Rubber is less resistant to heat, chemicals, fungi, ultraviolet light, and ozone. Because silicone has a higher heat resistance than natural rubbers, it can be used to complete insulation more efficiently.
The primary agents that cause rubber and plastics to deteriorate are radiation, high humidity, high temperature, oxygen and pollutant gases, and stress and other direct physical forces. However, not all rubber and plastics are attacked to the same extent by each agent.
There are several ways of avoiding UV degradation in plastics — by using stabilizers, absorbers or blockers. For many outdoor applications, the simple addition of carbon black at around a 2% level will provide the protection for the structure by the blocking process.
Rubber and urethane offer a great heat barrier, but even these wonder products have their limits. Rubber is more likely to break down and melt in high temperatures. Because polyurethane is a thermosetting polymer, it burns rather than melts at high temperatures.
Some have working ranges as low as -40 degrees and others can go as high as 150 degrees. When the temperature range is exceeded, the rubber will become brittle and lose its flexibility.
To answer the question of how long it takes rubber to biodegrade, the answer is anywhere between ten to hundreds of years. Even made from natural resources, rubber is not easily biodegradable, so it does not break down fast because of the manufacturing process.
Acrylic. Acrylic is the most notable material used in outdoor applications for UV resistance. Also called PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) is a transparent thermoplastic material better known by its chemical name “plexiglass.”
If you are planning on placing items in a sunny location, consider natural fabrics like cotton, wool, and wool blends. Fabrics blended with acrylic, polyester, and nylon are also less likely to fade. Avoid selecting fabrics like linen and silk as they are prone to fading quickly.
The chain of molecules will begin to break down, causing both physical and chemical changes. This damage, called UV degradation, affects many natural and synthetic polymers including some rubbers, neoprene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). With too much exposure, these materials can: Fade color.
Rubber is a highly resistant material that is able to withstand heavy foot traffic and the effects of the weather, including sun, rain, and extreme temperatures. This makes rubber pavers an ideal choice for use in high-traffic areas and for outdoor applications.
Once you have taken delivery of your rubber products, they should generally be stored in cold, dark, dry and oxygen-free conditions to slow the effects of rubber degradation.
Natural rubber lasts anywhere between 5 to 25 years. This depends on what it's used for, the frequency, and the environment it's used in. It lasts a shorter time if exposed to the elements, especially extreme temperatures.
There are a number of properties unique to rubber that make it supremely useful: it is strong, it can be stretched without breaking, it is resistant to corrosion, it's waterproof, and it works as an electrical insulator.