N-[(1RS)-Camphan-2-ylidene]-4-ethoxyaniline and its reduction product as stabilizers of nitrile butadiene rubbers

Objectives. To investigate the protective efficacy of unreduced and reduced forms of the condensation product of D,L-camphor and p -ethoxyaniline in nitrile butadiene rubber formulations when compared with the conventional stabilizer N -isopropyl- N ′-phenyl- p -phenylenediamine aged under laboratory and in situ climatic conditions in the tropics. Methods. The thermostabilizing effect of the condensation product of D,L-camphor and p -ethoxyaniline was evaluated by means of infrared spectroscopy using the dynamics of changes in the absorption bands of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups. The features of rubber vulcanization were studied by means of rotorless rheometry. Changes in the physical and mechanical properties of rubbers and degree of cross-linking were evaluated after thermo-oxidative aging in laboratory conditions. They also took into account the results of longterm exposure of samples in undeformed and deformed state in a tropical climate, taking into account meteorological data of the Can Gio climatic testing station. Results. It was found for the first time that condensation products of D,L-camphor and p -ethoxyaniline exhibit a stabilizing effect in formulations of rubbers based on polar nitrile butadiene rubber. Conclusions. According to the results of laboratory and in situ tests, the study established that the use of N -[(1 RS ,2 RS )-camphan-2-yl]- 4-ethoxyaniline (reduced form) as an antifatigue agent is preferable. This is due to the presence of a mobile hydrogen atom at the nitrogen atom. The protective effect is manifested in terms of the better preservation of elastic-strength properties of rubbers with less change in hardness.