* Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory, C.V. Raman Nagar, Bangalore-560 093.
** High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune-411 021.
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°C. However, the tensile strength has been observed to decrease by 50 per cent when exposed to 55°C. It is decreased to around 63 per cent when exposed to 80°C and 100°C. The morphological appearance of unaged sample was intact. Only samples at 120°C aged for 48 h appeared to have developed minor cracks of (0.01) m. There were no significant changes observed when the samples were exposed to saline (3% NaCl) and artificial sweat solution.
Respiratory mask, degradation, bromo-butyl, thermal oxidation, saline exposure
