Antioxidants, Antiozonants, Tackifiers, Flame Retardants, and Blowing Agents

In rubber compounding the term “antidegradant” is commonly used for any substance that is added to retard the deterioration of the vulcanized compound under service conditions. This deterioration, most often a result of chemical attack, results in a progressive loss of functional properties and a decrease in service lifetime of a rubber article. The three principal agents attacking rubber and causing its deterioration are oxygen (O2), ozone (O3), and ultraviolet radiation. Virtually all antiozonants used in rubber also act as antioxidants; however, many antioxidants do not act as antiozonants.