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Like other classes of polymeric materials, thermoplastic elastomers require the addition of stabilising systems to ensure long service life of products made from them. The main types of TPE ageing include:
- degradation during TPE production and processing into finished products;
- ageing of TPE under exposure to solar UV radiation;
- oxidative thermal ageing caused by elevated ambient temperatures and oxygen in the air.
The chemical mechanism of TPE ageing is associated with the formation of free radicals, which accelerates the degradation of the main component of TPE—SEBS rubber.
Each type of degradation requires one or more different stabilisers. In practice, a combination of stabilisers produces a synergistic effect, enhancing the overall protective action. For example, non-stabilised TPE used in window seals can degrade under sunlight within just 2–3 seasons of service.
TPE formulations produced by the Standard Prof Factory contain up to five types of highly effective stabilisers, with a total content of up to 1%.
