Ionizing radiation resistance of butadiene and silicone rubbers for Mars applications

This paper aims to investigate the ionizing radiation resistance of Butadiene (BR) and Vinyl-Silicone (VMQ) rubbers, which are the most promising candidates for Mars applications due to their low-temperature elasticity. The influence of various fillers on BR and aromatic silicone oligomer on VMQ radiation resistance was investigated by β or γ irradiation. The irradiation was carried out at two doses of 5 kGy or 10 kGy. In general, VMQ exhibits good radiation resistance even without the addition of the aromatic silicone oligomer. In contrast, the radiation resistance of BR was improved after the incorporation of the fillers, especially of mineral origin – silica, TiO 2, or ZnO, which is probably a result of radiation interaction with the fillers’ particles instead of rubber macromolecules. Both rubbers have proved to be promising elastomer bases for designing future Mars rubber compounds. • Butadiene (BR) and silicone (VMQ) rubbers exhibit high radiation resistance in simulated conditions of Mars • Particulate fillers improve the radiation resistance of BR by remaining inert against the applied radiation doses • The type of added filler influences the mechanism of BR radiation aging, promoting either cross-linking or chain scission