An anti-degradant, or deterioration inhibitor is an ingredient in

rubber Rubber, also called India rubber, latex, Amazonian rubber, ''caucho'', or ''caoutchouc'', as initially produced, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds. Types of polyisoprene ...

compounds to deter the aging of rubber products. Anti-degradants include

antioxidants Antioxidants are Chemical compound, compounds that inhibit Redox, oxidation, a chemical reaction that can produce Radical (chemistry), free radicals. Autoxidation leads to degradation of organic compounds, including living matter. Antioxidants ...

and

antiozonant An antiozonant, also known as anti-ozonant, is an organic compound that prevents or retards damage caused by ozone. The most important antiozonants are those which prevent degradation of elastomers like rubber. A number of research projects stud ...

s. Since the aging of rubber is caused largely by

oxygen Oxygen is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol, symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group (periodic table), group in the periodic table, a highly reactivity (chemistry), reactive nonmetal (chemistry), non ...

, materials that quickly react with oxygen can be used as anti-degradant depending on the type of rubber, although

organic compound Some chemical authorities define an organic compound as a chemical compound that contains a carbon–hydrogen or carbon–carbon bond; others consider an organic compound to be any chemical compound that contains carbon. For example, carbon-co ...

s that easily react with oxygen are recommended for use as anti-degradant (chemical antioxidant). On the other hand, the surface of rubber is sometimes covered with materials that do not easily react with oxygen to prevent direct contact between rubber and oxygen (physical anti-degradant, e.g.,

wax Waxes are a diverse class of organic compounds that are lipophilic, malleable solids near ambient temperatures. They include higher alkanes and lipids, typically with melting points above about 40 °C (104 °F), melting to give lo ...

products). Chemical antioxidants are classified into

amine In chemistry, amines (, ) are organic compounds that contain carbon-nitrogen bonds. Amines are formed when one or more hydrogen atoms in ammonia are replaced by alkyl or aryl groups. The nitrogen atom in an amine possesses a lone pair of elec ...

type anti-degradant and

phenol Phenol (also known as carbolic acid, phenolic acid, or benzenol) is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula . It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile and can catch fire. The molecule consists of a phenyl group () ...

ic type anti-degradant depending on the chemical composition or into

polymer stabilizers Polymer stabilizers (British English: polymer stabilisers) are chemical additives which may be added to polymeric materials to inhibit or retard their degradation. Mainly they protect plastic and rubber products against heat, oxidation, and UV light ...

, thermal anti-degradants, and deterioration inhibitors depending on the major aging action; in many cases, however, it is difficult to distinguish their effects. Anti-degradants are further classified into staining anti-degradants or non-staining anti-degradants depending on whether or not rubber is colored, discolored, or otherwise stained.

References

{{reflist Rubber