Failure analysis of rubber products

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Failure analysis of rubber products

• At the end of its useful service life it is
  natural for each product to expire and that is
  the case with rubber and its allied products too.
  But what if a product malfunctions or
  deteriorates before the end of its service
  capacity?That is technically termed as premature
  rubber failure. The reason for this type of
  failure can be many.
• In this blog we will cover the often overlooked
  reasons for premature failure in plastics and
  rubber products and the importance of rubber
  testing for systematic failure analysis.

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The commercial implications of under-performing
or substandard rubber products with premature
failure include expensive warranty claims, legal
disputes and product recalls that are some of the
most serious
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consequences of an unexpected failure. Brand and
market perception can also be adversely affected.
To prevent this scenario advanced testing of raw
material is very important. Common reasons for
rubber failure 1. Long-term rough use- Rubbers
mechanical properties are both time and
temperature dependent. The wear and tear with
time or rough use changes the physical and
chemical properties and composition which may
cause premature failure and disintegration. 2.
Environmental effects - Exposure to chemical
environments and elevated temperature can reduce
long term performance. Also the characteristics
of the working environment or the road in case of
tyres, may alter the performance and quality of
the rubber products. 3. Manufacturing effects
Errors in manufacturing of rubber products can
introduce complications that have a
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detrimental effect on the performance of the
product. These occur due to use of poor material,
not enough technical engineering done while
producing, or unfortunate mistakes. Pre-symptoms
of rubber failure Some products do show certain
warning signs before degrading. In case of rubber
these signals and symptoms may include
Brittleness or cracks in the rubber belts or
tyres, fracture or punctures, low strain
deformations or micro defects that may eventually
lead to rapid failure. How to prevent or analyze
rubber failures? Typical analysis on a failed
product may require microscopic examination
followed by chemical analysis to confirm material
and additives type. The molecular distribution to
determine material degradation status and thermal
analysis
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to understand temperature transition responses is
also done for better analysis. Comparative
analysis would typically be conducted between the
failed product and a new or as-good product in
order to detect any potential differences in the
material. Also a manufacturing process audit or
design review may be appropriate to determine any
influence on the cause of failure. Components or
products are sometimes subjected to mechanical
testing in creep or fatigue modes in specific
operating environments to simulate in service
conditions. Get your raw material tested for
expert certification at HASETRI The leading
elastomer and rubber research institute of India,
HASETRI has the infrastructure and facilities to
provide expert services through sophisticated
Laboratories
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equipped with pilot plants and experienced
scientists for Material Research and its
applications.  HASETRI is committed to provide
reliable testing calibration conforming to
national international standards and other
services to meet /exceed customers existing and
emerging needs, while maintaining impartiality
and confidentiality.