Influence of Chlorine Treatment on Measurement of Crosslink Density of Wiper Blade = Influence of Chlorine Treatment on Measurement of Crosslink Density of Wiper Blade

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Automobile wiper blades are generally treated with chlorine to lower their friction coefficient with the windshield surface. This treatment could affect the crosslink density measurement of rubber vulcanizates, a material used in windshield wipers, which would consequently alter its chemical and physical properties. Therefore, this study evaluated the influence of chlorination on crosslink density measurements of natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates using a vehicle wiper blade. A method for determining the degree of chlorination was developed where the interaction parameter between the rubber and the swelling solvent was corrected. A decrease in the rubber sample swelling ratio was observed upon chlorination, and the chlorination penetrated less than 1% of the sample thickness. The chlorinated NR was assumed to be chloroprene rubber (CR), which was used to correct the interaction parameter. The results showed the CR contributed approximately 7% to the parameter.