Bromo-butyl Rubber for Face Piece of a Respiratory Mask

  • G. K. Kannan Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory, Bangalore
  • Upendra Simha Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory, Bangalore
  • Leeladhar Gaikwad High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • Nirmala L. High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • N.S. Kumar High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Keywords: Respiratory mask, degradation, bromo-butyl, thermal oxidation, saline exposure

Abstract

Respiratory mask contains a number of components made of materials like rubber, plastics, and metals. Out of all the components, face piece is the main component exposed to the external environment. This study aims to evaluate degradation of bromo-butyl rubber. The experiments were carried out for thermal exposure, swelling study, saline exposure, etc. It is observed that the elongation at break was increased by 10 per cent when these were exposed to 100 oC. However, the tensile strength has been observed to decrease by 50 per cent when exposed to 55 oC. It is decreased to around 63 per cent when exposed to 80 oC and 100 oC. The morphological appearance of unaged sample was intact. Only samples at 120 oC aged for 48 h appeared to have developed minor cracks of <0.01 µm. There were no significant changes observed when the samples were exposed to saline (3 % NaCl) and artificial sweat solution.

Defence Science Journal, 2009, 59(5), pp.505-511, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.59.1552

Author Biographies

G. K. Kannan, Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory, Bangalore
Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory, C.V. Raman Nagar, Bangalore-560 093
Upendra Simha, Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory, Bangalore
Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory, C.V. Raman Nagar, Bangalore-560 093
Published
2009-09-01
How to Cite
Kannan, G., Simha, U., Gaikwad, L., L., N., & Kumar, N. (2009). Bromo-butyl Rubber for Face Piece of a Respiratory Mask. Defence Science Journal, 59(5), 505-511. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.59.1552
Section
Research Papers