Thermal‐Oxidative Aging Gradient of Nitrile Rubber and Life‐Prediction Modeling for the Nitrile Rubber‐Based BE ‐120 Vibration Isolator

This study investigates the thermo‐oxidative aging behavior of sulfur‐cured nitrile rubber across two scales on sheet specimens and 10 cm cube under varied conditions. Thermo‐oxidative aging increased the hardness, glass transition temperature, surface roughness, and oxygen content, with gradient changes being more pronounced near the surface. Based on these findings, static stiffness was selected as the performance of concern during the aging process, and a life prediction model for the universal BE‐120 vibration isolator was developed and internally assessed by combining the kinetic equation with the Arrhenius formula to predict the long‐term performance and remaining life. The established model could enable static stiffness forecasting, supporting replacement strategies and performance evaluation of rubber vibration isolators in practical applications.