The degradation of hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber（HNBR） soaped in aqueous solutions of HzS and HC1 was investigated, The samples unexposed and exposed to different solutions were characterized by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance（~3C NMR）, X-ray photoelectron and infrared spectroscopies. In contrast to those of unexposed samples and samples soaped in HCI solution, the mechanical properties of samples exposed to H2S solution signifi- cantly deteriorated, in which the new groups of C（=O）--NH2, C--S--C and C=S emerged. The mechanism of C=S and C--S--C formation was speculated, except for that of the formation of group C（=O）--NH2, which was widely discussed in acidic condition such as HC1 solution. The formation of C--S--C was due to radical reaction in- itiated by mercapto radical and that of C=S was due to nucleophilic reaction initiated by mercapto cations. This finding is helpful to understanding the seal failure of HNBR in working cnvironment containing H2S.
CONG Chuan-bo CUI Can-can MENG Xiao-yu LU Shao-jie ZHOU Qiong
