Polysiloxanes, Polyurethanes and poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) based materials are currently used for stress absorbing and alignment applications, as well as adhesive binders for specific filler particles. When used in specialised multi-material assemblies, these materials experience a complex ageing regime with potential for significant age related changes. A key objective of our studies is to understand the link between age related changes to the individual material and the potential impact on the assembly as a whole.This paper reports on our ageing and life assessment strategy. Our testing for zero time properties and quantifying age related changes of critical properties, together with sensitivity studies, will be reported. figure 1 shows a typical example of changes in material performance with storage age where the black line is the zero time response and the arrow/box the manufacturing specification limits. The green line represents behaviour outside the specification limits with potential for significant impact on the system performance.  This paper also details options to mitigate against age related change and extend life.

Aging properties of polymers in support of through life assessment programs

248th National Meeting (2014)

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