DETERIORATION OF RUBBER AND PLASTIC INSULATION BY DEEP-OCEAN MICROORGANISMS
2007
Muraoka, J. S.
This laboratory study determined the relative deteriorating effects of deep-ocean microorganisms of five electrical insulating materials. The plastic and rubber materials were exposed for 21 months in (1) sea water containing microorganisms from deep-ocean sediments or (2) in deep-ocean sediment. Control specimens were exposed in sterile sea water. Relative values for deterioration of the insulating materials were determined on the basis of insulation resistance and voltage breakdown tests. Other parameters of the dissolved oxygen were not a part of this study, but will be considered in a future study. Of the five materials, neoprene rubber was highly resistant to water absorption in the absence of microbes but was very susceptible to microbial deterioration. Polyethylene was highly resistant to microbes, but after 14 months it was very susceptible to water absorption. Silicone rubber, GR-S rubber, and polyvinyl chloride were fairly resistant to both microbes and water.
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