The rubber industry is one of the largest users of zinc oxide in order to manufacture their products. This is because zinc oxide is responsible for the various great and necessary qualities that are responsible for functional and long-lasting rubber products. Here’s everything you need to know about the use of zinc oxide powder in rubber industries.
UV Protection
The ultraviolet rays from the sun could damage a lot of things, including rubber products. This would result in reduced performance and early deterioration. This could be very dangerous to tires that are responsible for the safety of the drivers of any motorized vehicles.
UV rays could cause certain damages for tires and that’s why zinc oxide is needed to protect them. Zinc oxide would literally shield the rubber products such as tires from harmful UV rays and then would ensure the longevity. This is extremely crucial for outdoor rubber products such as tires, conveyor belts, garden hoses and many more.
Enhancing the Vulcanized Rubber Anti-Aging Properties
In vulcanization process, the bond created which is called the polysulfide bond will break. This process would be producing H2S which then would further accelerate the cracking process of rubber. The use of zinc oxide powder plays a key role by reacting with it and then forming new bonds of cross-linking. Because of this, the network of vulcanization would stabilize and then improving the rubber’s age resistance.
Making Tires More Durable
Tires also need to be durable and long-lasting; that’s why zinc oxide is needed. Tires are constantly undergoing several extreme conditions such as extreme friction, high temperatures, and exposure to other solid or harsh elements of the environment such as wood, rocks or metal. Zinc oxide is extremely needed to give tires the ability to withstand these circumstances.
Antioxidant Properties
Oxidation is a harmful process for rubber materials since it would cause the tires to lose elasticity and more brittle as the time goes. Zinc oxide plays a key role by serving as an antioxidant, preserving the flexibility and strength of rubber products by inhibiting the oxidation process.
Oxidation would be responsible for the breakdown of rubber chains and by preventing this process, use of zinc oxide powder would extend the rubber products’ lifespan and reducing the constant need for replacements. This not only making rubber products safer, but also more efficient and cost-saving.