How does light affect the sealing ring?

Light, especially ultraviolet light, can significantly accelerate the aging process of the sealing ring through photochemical reactions and thermal effects, resulting in a decline in its performance and a shorter service life. Here are the specific impacts and analyses:

I. Mechanism of Light Accelerating the Aging of Sealing Rings

Photochemical reaction

Short-wavelength ultraviolet rays (such as those with wavelengths higher than 280nm) can break the organic chemical bonds (such as C—S, C—N, C—O) in the sealing ring material, triggering molecular chain breakage and cross-linking. Molecular chain breakage will make the material surface softer, while cross-linking will make the material surface brittle, ultimately causing the sealing ring to lose elasticity, harden, and crack.

Thermal acceleration effect

Light not only brings ultraviolet radiation but also accompanies an increase in temperature. High temperature will accelerate the oxidation reaction of the sealing ring material, leading to material decomposition and aging. For example, in a summer high-temperature environment, the sealing ring may deform and crack due to heat.

II. Specific Effects of Light on Sealing Ring Performance

Sealing performance degradation

The aging of the material caused by light will make the sealing ring harden and crack, thus losing its original sealing effect. This may lead to water leakage and air leakage in the equipment, affecting the overall performance and safety of the product.

Service life shortening

Long-term exposure to light will cause the performance of the sealing ring to gradually decline and its service life to significantly shorten. For example, in the automotive field, the failure of traditional rubber sealing strips due to light-induced aging accounts for more than 10% of all vehicle recalls.

Appearance changes

Light may also cause the surface of the sealing ring to change color, turn yellow, or develop cracks, affecting its appearance quality.

III. Sensitivity of Different Materials of Sealing Rings to Light

      Rubber sealing ring

The rubber sealing ring is particularly sensitive to light, especially ultraviolet radiation will accelerate its aging process. For example, although fluorine rubber has certain radiation resistance, it may still experience a decline in physical properties under high-dose radiation.

IV. Actual Cases and Data Support

Automotive sealing ring

The automotive sealing ring is prone to aging due to long-term exposure to outdoor environments. According to industry reports, the failure of traditional rubber sealing strips due to light-induced aging accounts for more than 10% of all vehicle recalls. This indicates that light is one of the important factors affecting the performance of automotive sealing rings.

Building sealant

Under long-term sunlight exposure, the surface temperature of the sealant may rise rapidly, accelerating the degradation caused by hydrolysis. High temperature can accelerate the acceleration of hydrolysis, resulting in a significant decrease in the internal cohesive properties of the sealant, such as hardness, tensile modulus, and tensile strength.

V. Protective Measures and Suggestions

1. Store in a light-protected environment

Sealing rings should be stored in a light-protected environment, especially avoiding strong sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. Seal the sealing rings in a sealed high-density polyethylene bag and store them in a cool place.

2. Apply protective agents

Applying protective agents (such as antioxidants, anti-ultraviolet agents, etc.) on the surface of the sealing ring can slow down the aging process and extend its service life.

3. Optimize design

In equipment design, consideration should be given to the impact of light on the sealing ring, and shading measures or the selection of materials with better resistance to light should be adopted.

4. Regular inspection and replacement

Regularly inspect the performance and appearance quality of the sealing ring and replace it in time when signs of aging are detected to ensure the normal operation of the equipment.

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