Abstract
In this paper we have investigated the surface degradation by ultraviolet-irradiation in high-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber. Through the measurement of surface potential decay by corona-charging and of contact angle it is found that the change of surface electrostatic properties and the decrease of contact angle under UV-radiation. For the changes in micro-morphological and chemical structure of the UV-treated silicone rubber we utilized several analytical techniques such as SEM, ATR-FTIR,XPS. From this study it is shown that the chemical reactions(scissoring of side chain(S-$CH_3$) cross-linking and branching) occur on the surface of silicone rubber during the UV-irradiation. Also we obtained the results of the loss of low molecular weight chain by cross-linking and oxidation reaction.