Effect of antioxidants on thermal degradation of EPDM and XLPE

An experimental investigation of the effects of antioxidants on thermal degradation of EPDM and XLPE was carried out. We used “mapping method” in our FTIR spectroscopy to evaluate the degree of thermal degradation. The obtained absorbance data of FT-IR spectra were analyzed statistically. Thereby, we confirmed a clear suppressive effect of sulfur-containing phenolic antioxidant, 4-4 thiobis (3methyl-6-tert-butyl phenol), for thermal degradation of EPDM and XLPE. We confirmed also that a similar effect is obtainable when a phenolic antioxidant is combined with a sulfur type antioxidant. In our experiment, we discovered a great difference of antioxidant effects between EPDM and XLPE. Based on the results of experiments, the scheme of suppressive effects of antioxidant on thermal degradation was discussed.