Effect of aerosil on the course of thiuram accelerated sulfur vulcanization

Tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD)-accelerated sulfur vulcanization of natural rubber has been investigated at temperatures from 100°C to 145°C. Continuous measurements in a Vuremo curemeter were used to estimate the extent of crosslinking, which was plotted against cure time. The cure curves as well as their linearized forms (dependences of the logarithm of the extent of vulcanization on the cure time) clearly show that at lower cure temperatures the course of the vulcanization differs significantly from the first-order rate law. These digressions have been removed by the addition of a highly dispersed silica gel, Aerosil, which simultaneously speeds up the course of the vulcanization up to the value corresponding to the rate of zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate (ZnDMDC)-accelerated sulfur vulcanization. These results are in accordance with our recent theory supposing that ZnDMDC is the actual accelerator in TMTD-accelerated sulfur systems. In the presence of Aerosil, the formation of ZnDMDC from TMTD is catalyzed via dispersed silica gel. Support for this view derives from the temperature dependences of vulcanization reactions. The activation energies of TMTD-accelerated sulfur vulcanizations in the absence (31 kcal/mole) and in the presence of Aerosil (23.5 kcal/mole) correspond exactly to the values calculated from the rate constants of the thiuram decrease in TMTD-accelerated vulcanization (30 kcal/mole) and from the rate constants of crosslinking in the dithiocarbamate-accelerated sulfur vulcanization (23 kcal/mole), respectively.     

Effect of high-abrasion furnace carbon black on the course of thiuram-accelerated sulfur vulcanization

The effect of high-abrasion furnace (HAF) carbon black on the course of the tetra-methylthiuram disulfide-accelerated sulfur vulcanization of natural rubber has been investigated at temperatures from 100°C to 140°C. Continuous measurements in a Vuremo curemeter were used to estimate the extent of crosslinking, which was plotted against cure time. Results now available show (1) HAF carbon black does not alter the mechanism of the thiuram-accelerated sulfur cure; it also has no qualitative effect on the kinetics of the vulcanization reactions involved. (2) Quantitatively speaking, essential differences take place. The rate constants of vulcanization rise considerably when HAF carbon black is used; there is a dependence on the HAF carbon black content of the rubber compound. Yet the activation energies of vulcanizations are practically the same as in carbon black-free mixture, amounting to about 31 kcal/mole. (3) Measurements of the course of vulcanizations prove the reinforcing effect of HAF carbon black.     

Long-time sulfenamide-accelerated sulfur vulcanization of natural rubber/chlorobutyl rubber compounds

Sulfenamide-accelerated sulfur vulcanization of natural rubber/chlorobutyl rubber compounds has been investigated at temperatures from 155 to 175°C over 0.1 to 400 min. Continuous measurements in a Cone Rheometer were used to estimate the extent of crosslinking, which was plotted against cure time. On the basis of a kinetic analysis, two first-order vulcanization reactions, crosslinking and degradation, have been evaluated. Over the temperature range studied, there is no significant difference between the values of activation energy for these reactions. The rate of the degradation is slower by a factor of 20 than the rate of crosslinking. The degradation reaction can be limited by increasing the “efficiency” of the vulcanizing system.     

Effect of temperature on the course of thiuram-accelerated sulfur vulcanization

Tetramethylthiuram disulfide-accelerated sulfur vulcanization of styrene-butadiene rubber has been investigated at temperatures from 100°C to 170°C over 0.5 to 600 min. Continuous measurements in a Vuremo curemeter were used to estimate the extent of crosslinking, which was plotted against cure time. Apart from the induction period (t_i), the kinetic graphs are satisfactory represented by a rate equation assuming three independent first-order reactions: fast crosslinking, degradation, and slow crosslinking. The rate equation contains seven kinetic parameters. Over the temperature range studied, there is no difference between the values of activation energy for t_i^?1, for fast crosslinking, and for degradation. The activation energy of slow crosslinking only is significantly greater. Due to the presence of Aerosil, the reciprocal values of the induction periods and the values of the ultimate extents of fast crosslinking are increased, and the values of the rate constants of degradation and slow crosslinking are decreased. Simultaneously, the activation energy of slow crosslinking is also significantly decreased. On the basis of these results, the proposed theory of tetramethylthiuram disulfideaccelerated sulfur vulcanization supposing that zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate is the actual accelerator in this type of curing system is discussed.     

Kinetics of sulfur-free thiuram vulcanization

Sulfur-free thiuram vulcanization has been investigated at temperatures from 160° to 190°C over 0.5 to 600 min. Continuous measurements in a VUREMO curemeter were used to estimate the extent of crosslinking, which was plotted against cure time. Simultaneously the values of the network chain density were calculated from swelling measurements on the vulcanizates. The cure curves show clearly an induction period (t_i), then fast crosslinking, a partial degradation, a “long-time” crosslinking, and finally a slow, limited degradation. Apart from the induction period, the kinetic graphs are satisfactory represented by a rate equation assuming three independent first-order reactions: fast crosslinking, degradation, and slow crosslinking. The rate equation contains seven kinetic parameters. Over the temperature range studied, there is no difference between the values of activation energy for fast crosslinking, for degradation, for slow crosslinking, and for t. Due to the presence of thiourea, the values of the induction period, the rate constant, and the extent of slow crosslinking are decreased. Simultaneously the activation energies calculated from degradation and slow crosslinking are significantly increased. On the basis of the above results, the mechanism of the sulfur-free thiuram vulcanization, in which ionic and radical reactions take place, is discussed.     

Cure characteristics of unaccelerated sulfur vulcanization of epoxidized natural rubber

The curing characteristics of unaccelerated sulfur vulcanization of ENR 25 and ENR 50 were studied in the temperature range from 100–180°C. The range of sulfur loading was from 1.5 to 6.5 phr. The scorch time was determined by Mooney Shearing Disk Viscometer whereas the initial cure rate, maximum torque, and reversion properties were obtained from the Moving Die Rheometer (MDR 2000). Results shows that ENR 25 gives a longer scorch time than ENR 50, an observation similar to that in an accelerated system reported earlier. For temperature < 120°C, scorch time depends exponentially on sulfur loading for both rubbers. However, this dependence diminishes as temperature is increased. This observation is attributed to the availability of activated sulfur molecules for vulcanization. The initial cure rate and maximum torque increases with increasing sulfur loading. ENR 50, however, exhibits higher value than ENR 25, suggesting faster cure in the former. For a fixed sulfur loading, reversion is a time and temperature-dependent phenomenon. It decreases with increasing sulfur loading because of the increase of cross-linking density for both rubbers stuided. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effect of zinc oxide concentration on the course of thiuram-accelerated sulfur vulcanization

Tetramethylthiuram disulfide-accelerated sulfur vulcanization of natural rubber has been investigated. Continuous measurements in a Vuremo curemeter at 145°C were used to estimate the effects of zinc oxide concentration on the induction periods, on the first-order rate constants, and on the ultimate extents of crosslinking, on the extents of degradation reaction (reversion), and on the extents of relaxation of vulcanizates at the cure temperature. The concentration of zinc oxide has practically no influence on the rate of thiuram-accelerated sulfur cure. The values of the ultimate extents of crosslinking increase with increasing the zinc oxide content in the rubber compound up to a certain limit corresponding to the theoretical amount of zinc oxide which is necessary for the formation of zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate from tetramethylthiuram disulfide and zinc oxide during the vulcanization reaction. From the point of view of the reversion, however, this limit value of zinc oxide concentration is not sufficient. The relaxation measurements provide the same results. On the basis of these, for thiuram-accelerated sulfur vulcanizations, the optimum zinc oxide content in the rubber mix of 2.5 phr has been calculated. This value is in very good agreement with the optimum value of zinc oxide concentration found for both sulfenamides and thiazoles-accelerated sulfur cures.     

Kinetics of thiuram–accelerated sulfur vulcanization

On the basis of continuous measurements in a Vuremo curemeter at 145°C, kinetics of tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD)-accelerated sulfur vulcanization of natural rubber has been investigated. It was found that the cure rates increase with increasing TMTD concentration, the sulfur content being kept constant, up to a TMTD:S weight ratio of 2:1. Beyond this value, the cure rates again decrease. This TMTD:S ratio corresponds to 3.8 gram atoms of sulfur per mole TMTD, and it is in good agreement with findings that in TMTD-accelerated sulfur vulcanization systems the peak value of zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate (ZnDMDC) formation reaches an endvalue when the stocks contain 4 gram atoms of sulfur per mole TMTD. These facts lead us to suppose that ZnDMDC is the actual accelerator in TMTD-accelerated sulfur systems. Support for this view derives from our experiments with model curing systems as well as from the generally known practical experience that dithiocarbamates are faster accelerators than thiuram disulfides. For the reasons described above and for the finding that the dependences of the ultimate extent of vulcanization (network chain density) on the concentration of TMTD in the absence and in the presence of elemental sulfur are analogous, the mechanism of thiuram-accelerated sulfur vulcanization is very probably similar to that of sulfur-free thiuram vulcanization.     

Efficiency of metal activators of accelerated sulfur vulcanization

The effects of copper, mercury, nickel, zinc, cadmium, indium, magnesium, and calcium stearates on the course of N-cyclohexyl-2-benzthiazylsulphenamide-accelerated sulfur vulcanization of natural rubber have been investigated on the basis of curemeter measurements at 145°C. The differences in the efficiencies of these metal activators of accelerated sulfur vulcanization have been discussed from the points of view of the electron configurations of the metals and their affinities to sulfur. We attempted to determine why zinc oxide is generally accepted as the best metal vulcanization activator. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetics of crosslinking of poly(vinyl chloride) in the presence of tetramethylthiuram disulfide and zinc oxide

Continuous measurements in a Vuremo curemeter at temperatures from 160°C to 195°C were used to estimate the extent of crosslinking of poly(vinyl chloride) which was plotted against cure time. The linearized forms of the cure curves clearly show that at obvious tetramethylthiuram disulfide–zinc oxide concentrations, the course of crosslinking differs significantly from the first-order rate law. These digressions caused by the degradation crosslinking of poly(vinyl chloride) were diminished by increasing tetramethylthiuram disulfide concentration, which simultaneously increases the ultimate extent of controlled crosslinking. On the basis of the above results, a method of the kinetic analysis of the cure curves is discussed.     

Bis(diisopropyl)thiophosphoryl sulfides in vulcanization reactions

A synergistic combination of bis(diisopropyl)thiophosphoryl disulfide, dimorpholyl disulfide, and sulfur is used to produce an efficient vulcanizing system for a range of rubbers. This produces vulcanizates with the exceptional thermal and thermal-oxidative stability characteristic of sulfur donor vulcanizates and the rapid and extensive crosslinking reaction normally associated with a conventional sulfur–accelerator combination. A pronounced induction period is noted. The crosslinks initially produced in cis-1,4-polyisoprene rubbers are predominantly polysulfide but reduce to mono- and disulfides at optimum and extended cures. The crosslinks of the ethylene–propylene terpolymer and the styrene–butadiene vulcanizates are initially mainly disulfide but are rapidly reduced to monosulfides at the high curing temperatures (180°C) used. A comparison with vulcanization systems based on tetramethylthiuram disulfide and bis(diisopropyl)thiophosphoryl tri-and tetrasulfides as sulfur donors and with a conventional cyclohexylbenthazyl-2-sulfenamide–sulfur combination, respectively, shows it to have distinct advantages.     

A new secondary accelerator for the sulfur vulcanization of natural rubber latex and its effect on the rheological properties

The vulcanization of natural rubber (NR) latex can be effectively carried out at low temperatures by using binary accelerator systems containing thiourea (TU) as a secondary accelerator. It was reported that sulfur‐containing nucleophiles such as thiourea enable the primary accelerator to become effective even at low temperatures, indicating a nucleophilic reaction mechanism in such vulcanization reactions. In the present study, a derivative of thiourea [viz. aminoiminomethyl thiourea (AMT)], which is more nucleophilic than thiourea, is used as a secondary accelerator in the sulfur vulcanization of NR latex. One of the aims of this study was to give conclusive evidence for a nucleophilic reaction mechanism. The synergistic effect of the above thiourea derivative with primary accelerators such as tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD), zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDC), and cyclohexylbenzthiazyl sulfenamide (CBS) was studied at two different temperatures (viz. 100 and 120°C). These binary systems were found to be very effective in reducing the optimum cure time of the different mixes compared to control formulations containing TU. The optimum amount of the secondary accelerator required was also determined. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength and tear strength of the vulcanizates were also evaluated. Chemical characterization of the vulcanizates was carried out by determining the total crosslink density. Values of the cure characteristics evaluated support a nucleophilic reaction mechanism in these vulcanization reactions under review. The effect of this secondary accelerator on the rheological behavior of compounded latex is also studied and was found not to affect adversely. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2781–2789, 2004     

The role of dimethyldithiocarbamic acid in accelerated sulfur vulcanization

Polyisoprene/tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD)/sulfur compounds were vulcanized under a variety of conditions. TMTD does not decompose to tetramethylthiourea (TMTU) at vulcanization temperatures as has been suggested, neither is it formed as an integral part of the crosslinking process. Instead, it results from the attack of dimethylamine, released on decomposition of dimethyldithiocarbamic acid (Hdmtc), on TMTD. It is demonstrated that the formation of TMTU in vulcanizates may be overlooked, as it is readily lost in the work‐up for HPLC analysis. Hdmtc is shown to play an essential role in the crosslinking process in polyisoprene/TMTD/sulfur formulations, and its removal from the system during vulcanization severely impedes crosslinking. Polysulfidic thiuram‐terminated pendent groups are formed, in part, by the interaction of tetramethylthiuram polysulfides with the polymer chain, but largely by an exchange between Hdmtc and polysulfidic thiol pendent groups. The latter are formed when sulfurated Hdmtc reacts with the polymer chain. Crosslinking of thiuram‐terminated pendent groups is slow, and in the absence of ZnO crosslinking results from reaction between polysulfidic thiuram pendent groups and thiols. Crosslinking is delayed until the bulk of the accelerator is bound to the polymer chain, at which point the concentration of free thiuram groups, in the form of Hdmtc, is low, and exchanges between newly formed thiol pendent groups and Hdmtc is less frequent, permitting crosslinking of thiuram pendent groups with these newly formed thiol pendent groups. Data to support the proposed reaction mechanism is presented. Hdmtc on its own accelerates sulfur vulcanization and acts as a catalyst for the reaction, being regenerated in the crosslinking process. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1371–1379, 1999     

High temperature vulcanization of elastomers: 2. Network structures in conventional sulphenamide-sulphur natural rubber vulcanizates

A natural rubber (NR) gum mix with a conventional N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazylsulphenamide (CBS) accelerated sulphur system (0.5:2.5 CBS/S) was vulcanized at temperatures from 140°C to 200°C. The influence of cure temperature on (a) the chemical crosslink density, (b) the distribution of crosslink types, (c) the extent of sulphidic main-chain modifications, and (d) the zinc sulphide formation was investigated. Results show that elevated cure temperatures produce a network with a lower crosslink density, in particular a lower polysulphidic crosslink density. The formation of intramolecular sulphidic groups and zinc sulphide increases with increasing temperatures. The possibility of chain scission during vulcanization was examined by a quantitative analysis of the sol-gel data. Less than 1 site of scission per 100 crosslinked isoprene units was established in the temperature range of 140–200°C. The network results can be satisfactorily correlated with the physical properties of a tyre tread mix of NR as reported in Part 1. Mechanistic interpretations are made to account for the network results.     

Structural characterization of vulcanizates. Part VI. The 2-mercaptobenzothiazole-accelerated natural rubber–sulfur system

The crosslinking efficiency of sulfur in the vulcanization of natural rubber in the presence of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, zinc oxide, and lauric acid has been determined as a function of cure time, cure temperature, and lauric acid concentration. With a low concentration of lauric acid structurally complex networks are formed, which contain 11–19 combined sulfur atoms per chemical crosslink present. The complexity increases with time of vulcanization. With a high lauric acid concentration much simpler networks are formed, which become progressively more simple as reaction proceeds (6 network-combined sulfur atoms per chemical crosslink, decreasing to 2.4 with time). Increasing the cure temperature from 100 to 140°C. reduces the efficiency of crosslinking in both cases. The changes in efficiency are attributed to the influences of the reaction variables (in particular, the concentration of rubber-soluble complexes of the zinc laurate with zinc benzothiazolyl mercaptide) on the structure and subsequent reactions of initially formed polysulfidic crosslinks.     

High temperature vulcanization of elastomers: 3. Network structure of efficiently vulcanized natural rubber mixes

The effect of vulcanization temperature (140–200°C) and time on the structures of pure gum natural rubber vulcanizates with two different N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazylsulphenamide (CBS): sulphur ratios (A, 3·5:1·5; B, 6·0:0·4 CBS/S) has been determined. Analyses of vulcanizates were carried out as reported in Part 2. Results show that both mixes are efficient in crosslinking, resulting in mainly monosulphidic crosslinks and relatively few modifications of the rubber chains. Raising the cure temperature from 140°C reduces the density of chemical crosslinks, particularly those of monosulphidic crosslinks, obtainable in the vulcanizates. This decrease in crosslink density has been shown to be irreversible with respect to cure temperature. The formation of intramolecular sulphidic groups and zinc sulphide increases with rising cure temperature, but this increase is small compared with that reported for the conventional CBS-accelerated system. The main difference between mixes A and B is that mix A yields a higher level of crosslinks and a major proportion of cyclic sulphides as main-chain modification. Negligible chain scission occurs during vulcanization at 140–200°C. These network results are interpreted mechanistically, and essential network features for obtaining good physical properties in high temperature vulcanizates are deduced.     

Dynamic vulcanization of acrylic rubber‐blended PVC

Poly(vinyl chloride) was blended with an acrylic rubber at a variety of blending ratio using a twin‐screw extruder. The acrylic rubber was compounded with sulfur and sodium stearate in a two‐roll mill prior to the blending. Dynamic vulcanization was performed in a compression mould at 170°C. Mechanical properties of the blends were determined by using a tensile testing machine. Scanning electron microscope was used to examine morphology of these blends. Degree of crosslinking of acrylic rubber in the blends was evaluated by using a differential scanning calorimeter. It was found that the normal blends are miscible regardless of the blending variables. By performing dynamic vulcanization, however, the blends became immisicible, showing a typical dispersed particle morphology, which was accompanied by a remarkable improvement of tensile properties. The screw‐rotating speed was an important parameter affecting particle size and crosslink density of the rubber phase, which in turn controlled the tensile toughness of the blends. On the one hand, tensile toughness increased with the speed because of the decreasing particle size. On the other hand, the toughness decreased with the speed because of the decreasing crosslink density of the rubber. As a result, there was an optimum speed for each blend ratio, which corresponded to the maximum toughness. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2657–2663, 2003     

NR硫化返原过程的动力学研究

采用依据ＮＲ硫黄硫化返原机理建立起来的硫化返原动力学模型,对普通硫黄硫化体系和半有效硫化体系的ＮＲ在不同温度下的硫化曲线进行了计算机非线性拟合,从而求出了各步反庆的速率常数,并进上步得到多硫键、双硫键和单硫键密度之和及交联密度随硫化时间变化的关系。结果表明：不同温度下两种体系采用该模型得到的模拟曲线与实际数据相吻合,求出的同一体系速率常数与硫化温度的关系符合Ａｒｒｈｅｎｉｕｓ方程。两种体系多硫键的     

Sulfur vulcanization of polyisoprene accelerated by benzothiazole derivatives. I. Comparison of sulfur and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole accelerated reactions

Polyisoprene compounds with sulfur and with sulfur and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) were vulcanized by heating in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) at a programmed rate. The reaction was stopped at various temperatures along the thermogram and the product analyzed by determining the crosslink density and crosslink type, and by determining the amount of extractable curatives and soluble reaction products by high-performance liquid chromatography. DSC cure curves and plots of crosslink density and extractable sulfur vs. temperature for the unaccelerated and MBT accelerated compounds can be made to coincide by shifting them along the temperature axis. It is suggested that MBT accelerated sulfur vulcanization occurs by the same mechanism as unaccelerated sulfur vulcanization, with SH⁺ ions from MBT adding across the carbon–carbon double bond, thus increasing the rate at which the reaction is initiated. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effect of vulcanization temperature and vulcanization systems on the structure and properties of natural rubber vulcanizates

The effect of vulcanization temperature (150°–180°C) on the structure and technical properties of gum natural rubber vulcanizates with four different 2-(morpholinodithio)-benzothiazole: sulphur ratios (A, 0.6:2.4; B, 1.5:1.5; C, 2.4:0.6; D, 3.0:0.0) at the respective optimum cure times has been determined. The influence of cure temperature on (a) the chemical crosslink density; (b) the distribution of crosslink types; (c) the extent of sulphidic main chain modifications and (d) the zinc sulphide formation was investigated. Results show that elevated cure temperatures produce a network with lower crosslink density, in particular a lower polysulphidic crosslink density. The formation of intramolecular sulphidic groups and zinc sulphide increase with increasing cure temperatures. The possibility of chain scission during vulcanization, as examined by a quantitative analysis of the sol—gel data, was found to be negligible. The network results have been correlated with the technical properties.