Influence of Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure Time on Styrene-Ethylene-Butadiene-Styrene (SEBS) Copolymer

Abstract

The effect of ultraviolet radiation on styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS) has been studied at different exposures times in order to obtain a better understanding of the mechanism of ageing. The polymer materials were mechanically tested and then their surfaces were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Moreover, the optical analysis of contact angle (OCA) was used to evaluate the surface energy (γ s ) and the yellowing index (YI) and attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) were used to observe structural and physical changes in aging SEBS. The results obtained for the SEBS, in relation to the duration of exposure, showed superficial changes that cause a decrease in the surface energy (γ s ) and, therefore, a decrease in surface roughness. This led to a reduction in mechanical performance, decreasing the tensile strength by about 50% for exposure times of around 200 hours.

Improvement of Impact Strength of Polylactide Blends with a Thermoplastic Elastomer Compatibilized with Biobased Maleinized Linseed Oil for Applications in Rigid Packaging

“…SEBS is obtained by hydrogenation of unsaturations contained in polystyrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS). The absence of unsaturations in the hydrogenated structure provides excellent thermal and UV resistance [31], which is a key factor in the food packaging industry. In addition, due to its wide range of elasticity and hardness values (depending on the ethylene-butylene segments) and easy processing at relatively low temperatures, it is used in a wide range of sectors such as adhesives, cable coatings, films, toys, household appliances and, increasingly, in the medical and automotive sectors [32,33].…”

Universal Strain Energy-Mediated Dynamic Porosity in Physically Networked Elastomers and Their Applications

“…The UV-printed area has a color contrast similar to the area outside the circular mask with direct UV exposure, implying a proper UV light transmissivity within the pore reversion areas that were not masked. In addition to the considerable light transmissivity, SEBS has a high surface energy, 56 capable of bonding to photoresist substrates through van der Waals interactions. This feature is vital for photolithography applications.…”

Evolution of nanostructured skin patches towards multifunctional wearable platforms for biomedical applications

“…For example, a series of SEBS derivative materials with different butadiene-to-styrene ratios and carbon nanotubes presented well-order structures to resist UV radiation. 67 Besides, the drug release rate and skin permeability of the SEBS copolymer exhibited satisfactory properties (i.e., viscoelasticity, permeability, and dissolution test) for skin patches. 68 Feng et al utilized SEBS triblock copolymer as the starting material to fabricate conductive polymer composites via the introduction of graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) (Fig.…”

“…For example, a series of SEBS derivative materials with different butadiene-to-styrene ratios and carbon nanotubes presented well-order structures to resist UV radiation. 67 Besides, the drug release rate and skin permeability of the SEBS copolymer exhibited satisfactory properties ( i.e. , viscoelasticity, permeability, and dissolution test) for skin patches.…”