Sulfur vulcanization of polyisoprene accelerated by benzothiazole derivatives. IV. The reaction of polyisoprene with N-cyclohexylbenzothiazole sulfenamide,sulfur, and zinc oxide

Polyisoprene was vulcanized with N-cyclohexylbenzothiazole sulfenamide (CBS), sulfur, and zinc oxide by heating in a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) at a programmed rate to given temperatures. The reaction was quenched and the product analyzed. Soluble curatives and reaction intermediates were analyzed by high-performance liquid chomatography (HPLC) and the crosslink density of the network determined by swelling. The delayed action of the CBS accelerator is explained in terms of an exchange reaction between benzothiazole terminated polysulfidic pendent groups on the polymer chain and CBS to yield unreactive amine terminated pendent groups and 2-bisbenzothiazole-2,2′-disulfide (MBTS). MBTS reacts with sulfur to form 2-bisbenzothiazole-2,2′-polysulfides (MBTPs), which also form pendent groups. Crosslinking does not commence until all of the CBS has been consumed and pendent groups are no longer deactivated. 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) is released only on crosslinking. When MBT is present in the formulation at the outset of the reaction it traps cyclohexylamine released when CBS adds to the chain as a pendent group. The MBT-amine salt participates in a reaction that regenerates MBTS, which is, thus, not consumed in the vulcanization process. ZnO does not react with CBS, and its role in increasing the crosslink density is attributed to its promoting crosslinking reactions between pendent groups and neighboring chains rather than intramolecular reactions, which lead to cyclization. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The reactions of 2‐(4‐morpholinothio)‐ and 2‐(4‐morpholinodithio) benzothiazole in the absence of polyisoprene

2‐(4‐morpholinothio)benzothiazole (MOR) and 2‐(4‐morpholinodithio)benzothiazole (MDB) were heated with sulfur and ZnO in a DSC. The products formed at various temperatures were identified and analyzed by HPLC. At temperatures below 200°C, decomposition of the accelerator in the absence of other curatives was slow, degradation products being mainly 2‐bisbenzothiazole‐2,2′‐disulfide (MBTS) and 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT). A rapid exothermic decomposition above 200°C resulted in the formation of MBT (or its amine salt) and 2‐(4‐morpholino)benzothiazole (MB). MOR and MDB reacted with sulfur to form higher polysulfides. MDB was shown to react more readily with sulfur than MOR and the delayed action of MOR in rubber can therefore not be ascribed to a stable polysulfide as suggested by other authors. Neither MOR nor MDB was found to react with ZnO. A limited reaction between MBT and ZnO was observed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1235–1240, 1999     

The effect of carbon black on tetramethylthiuram disulfide accelerator sulfur vulcanization of polyisoprene

Polyisoprene was vulcanized with the tetramethylthiuram disulfide/sulfur/ZnO system in the presence and absence of N330 carbon black. Crosslinking was carried out in a DSC at a programmed heating rate, the reaction stopped at points along the thermal curve, and the system analyzed. Residual curatives and reaction intermediates were determined by HPLC and crosslink densities by swelling in benzene. Combinations of the powdered curatives were also heated with and without carbon black and analyzed. It is shown that the step in the vulcanization sequence, influenced by carbon black, is the formation of tetramethylthiuram polysulfides that act as the active sulfurating agent in vulcanization. Carbon black catalyzes their formation, and to a lesser extent, the formation of accelerator terminated polysulfidic pendent groups on the chain. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Differential scanning calorimetric study of the interaction of 2,2′-dibenzothiazole,sulfur, zinc oxide,and stearic acid in the presence of polyisoprene

The interactions between mixtures of 2,2'-dibenzothiazole (MBTS), sulfur, ZnO, and stearic acid were studied by DSC in the presence of polyisoprene (IR). In the absence of ZnO, the onset of vulcanization was at a lower temperature than in its presnece, and the crosslink densities were relatively low. ZnO as well as stearic acid did not influence the consumption of MBTS, but the amount of MBT in the sample after vulcanization increased in the presence of ZnO and still more when ZnO and stearic acid were present—the same applied for the crosslink densities. In view of these results, interaction mechanisms are proposed for the different systems.     

Reactions of 2-(4-morpholinothio)- and 2-(4-morpholinodithio)benzothiazole in the presence of polyisoprene

2-(4-Morpholinothio)benzothiazole (MOR) and 2-(4-morpholinodithio)-benzothiazole (MDB) were reacted, in combination with sulfur and ZnO, in the presence of polyisoprene (IR). Samples were heated in a DSC at 2.5°C/min and characterized by swelling experiments. The products formed at various temperatures were analyzed by HPLC. Crosslinking only occurred once all the benzothiazole sulfenamide had been consumed, the onset of vulcanization characterized by a considerable increase in 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) concentration. Crosslinking occurred earlier in all corresponding MDB formulations. Higher crosslink densities were recorded with addition of ZnO. The delayed action experienced in MOR systems was attributed to an exchange reaction between benzothiazole-terminated pendent groups and MOR and not due to the stability of the disulfide, MDB. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 1093–1099, 1997     

Crystallization of vulcanizates. I. Low‐temperature crystallization as a function of extent of cure for polyisoprene vulcanized with tetramethylthiuram disulfide/sulfur and 2‐bisbenzothiazole‐2,2′‐disulfide/sulfur

The crystallization of polyisoprene, vulcanized to various degrees of cure with tetramethylthiuram disulfide/sulfur and 2‐bisbenzothiazole‐2,2′‐disulfide (MBTS)/sulfur formulations, was studied in a density column at ?25°C. The densities of vulcanizates before crystallization decrease progressively with cure time, which is ascribed to an increase in free volume occasioned by the formation of accelerator‐terminated pendent groups on the polymer chain. The induction period before the onset of crystallization increases and both the rate of and the degree of crystallization decrease with extent of cure. This is attributed primarily to the presence of residual pendent groups on the polymer chain and secondly to crosslink formation. The changes are more marked with MBTS formulations where pendent groups are more bulky. MBTS compounds fail to crystallize once vulcanized to the point where a gel has formed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2565–2572, 2001     

Influence of pendent groups on the tensile properties of polyisoprene vulcanizates

Gum compounds of polyisoprene were vulcanized with a number of different curing systems to give networks with crosslink densities in two different ranges. Stress–strain curves were obtained upon rapid (500 mm/min) and slow (0.5 mm/min) extension. In tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD)/sulfur and zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate/sulfur vulcanizates, which crystallize readily, failure occurred at higher tensile values upon rapid than upon slow extension and this is attributed to a greater contribution to tensile strength by a larger amount of stress‐induced crystallites. X‐ray diffraction showed that 2‐benzothiazole‐2,2′‐disulfide (MBTS)/sulfur vulcanizates did not stress‐crystallize and failure occurred at lower tensile values. Furthermore, samples extended rapidly failed at lower tensile values than did slowly extended samples. These differences, compared to TMTD vulcanizates, are attributed to extensive main‐chain modifications (pendent groups), causing delays in the movement of sections of the chain, leading to the load being unequally distributed between chains. The fewer load‐bearing chains ensure earlier failure. The addition of zinc stearate to TMTD/sulfur and MBTS/sulfur formulations increases the ability of vulcanizates of similar crosslink density to crystallize and enhances tensile properties of vulcanizates with similar crosslink densities, outcomes that are attributed to zinc stearate's promoting crosslinking of pendent groups and reducing impediments to crystallization and chain movement. Dicumyl peroxide–cured networks crystallize readily and exhibit a very rapid upturn in the stress–strain curve. However, failure occurs at lower stress values than apply to accelerated sulfur networks and it is suggested that the distribution of subchain lengths between crosslinks may contribute to their inferior properties. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2587–2596, 2001     

Effect of vulcanizing system on the crosslink density of nitrile rubber compounds

The synergistic activity of binary accelerator systems in rubber vulcanization is well known. Binary accelerator systems are being widely used in industry and are becoming increasingly popular because of the fact that such mixed systems can produce a vulcanizate with superior mechanical properties compared to those of stock cured with a single accelerator. The authors have studied the performance of a binary accelerator system based on cyclohexyl benzothiazole sulfenamide (CBS), tetramethyl thiuram disulphide (TMTD) in the sulfur vulcanization of nitrile rubber. The amount of sulfur and accelerator was varied to change the network crosslink density of vulcanizates. The observed mutual activity has been discussed based on the mechanical properties and crosslink density. The physical crosslink density of the various nitrile rubber mixes was estimated using the Kinetic Theory of Elasticity. The mechanical properties of the various rubber compounds were related to the corresponding crosslink density estimated for each compound. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2440–2445, 2005     

A study of curative interactions in cis-1,4-polyisoprene. X. The cis-1,4-polyisoprene/sulfur/zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate and cis-1,4-polyisoprene/sulfur/zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate/ZnO systems

Aspects of the mechanism of zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate (ZDMC)-accelerated sulfur vulcanization were discussed. The trends in the efficiency parameter E, confirmed that crosslinking is preceded by the formation of pendent groups RS_xSX [R = polyisoprenyl, X = Me₂NC(S)] in ZDMC-based systems. The index x in RS_xX was calculated as 5.82 in the cis-1,4-polyisoprene (IR)/sulfur/ZDMC/ZnO compound at the initial stages of curing, compared to 3.23 in the absence of ZnO. The high value of x supports the postulation that elemental sulfur and ZDMC react at the early stages of vulcanization, to form the active sulphurating agent XS_xSZnSSX. Crosslinks form by either a disproportionation reaction between two α-methylic or α-methylenic pendent groups RS_xX, or a reaction between a pendent group RS_xX and the rubber chain—these routes are the same as that suggested for the IR/tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD)/ZnO compound. The beneficial role of ZnO and zinc stearate is shown, as in the case of ZnO in the IR/TMTD/ZnO system, to be related to their ability to trap dimethyldithiocarbamic acid, which formed in the generation of pendent groups and crosslinks. ZnS is inactive in this regard. The formation of ZnS is characteristic of natural rubber/sulfur/ZDMC/ZnO systems, as opposed to IR/TMTD/ZnO mixtures where little ZnS forms.     

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.     

N,N′‐Pentamethylenethiuram disulfide and N,N′‐pentamethylenethiuram hexasulfide accelerated sulfur vulcanization. III. Vulcanization of polyisoprene and 2,3‐dimethyl‐2‐butene in the absence of ZnO

Polyisoprene and model compound, 2,3‐dimethyl‐2‐butene, were vulcanized with N,N′‐dipentamethylenethiuram disulfide (CPTD), CPTD/sulfur and N,N′‐dipentamethylenethiuram hexasulfide (CPTP6) in the absence of ZnO and residual extractable curatives and reaction intermediates analyzed by HPLC at various stages of the reaction. Accelerator polysulfides, required for the formation of accelerator‐terminated polysulfidic pendent groups, form rapidly, or are present from the outset in the case of CPTP6. Model compounds confirm the formation of thiuram‐terminated polysulfidic pendent groups as intermediates in the vulcanization process. Removal of pentamethylenedithiocarbamic acid (Hpmtc) from the system during heating delays the onset of vulcanization and leads to very low crosslink densities. Rubbers heated under vacuum can subsequently be crosslinked by the addition of zinc stearate, pointing to the presence in the compound of thiuram‐terminated pendent groups. However, such pendent groups do not readily crosslink on their own, and hydrogen‐terminated polysulfidic pendent groups, formed by the reaction of sulfurated Hpmtc with the polymer, are suggested to be involved in the crosslink formation. N,N′‐Pentamethylenethiurea forms in the vulcanizate, but is not as product of crosslinking reactions, rather of CPTD degradation. The data are discussed with respect to mechanisms proposed in the literature for crosslinking, and it is concluded that the data support recently formulated mechanisms in which crosslinking involves reaction between thiuram and thiol‐terminated pendent groups, with Hmptc playing and essential role in the overall process. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1100–1111, 2000     

Effect of carboxylic acids on 2‐bisbenzothiazole‐2,2′‐disulfide‐ and tetramethylthiuram disulfide‐accelerated sulfur vulcanization. II. Vulcanization of polyisoprene in the absence of ZnO

Polyisoprene was vulcanized by 2‐bisbenzothiazole‐2,2′‐disulfide (MBTS)/sulfur and tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD)/sulfur in the absence and presence of benzoic and stearic acids. It was found that the crosslink density of MBTS vulcanizates is halved by the addition of carboxylic acids and this can be explained in terms of the attack of the acids on the accelerator polysulfides. TMTD polysulfides are more reactive toward polyisoprene than are MBTS polysulfides, and their addition to the polymer chain occurs before significant attack by the carboxylic acids can reduce the polysulfide concentration. Consequently, the acids have little effect on the crosslink density of TMTD vulcanizates. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1007–1012, 1999     

Tetramethylthiuram disulfide and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole as binary accelerators in sulfur vulcanization. II. Exchange reactions between the accelerators and their zinc salts in the absence of rubber

Exchange reactions between tetramethylthiuram disulfide, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, and sulfur in the presence of ZnO were studied by heating powdered mixes to vulcanization temperatures at a preprogrammed rate in a DSC. The reaction was stopped at points along the thermal curve and the mixture was analyzed. Sulfide exchange reactions between the accelerators leads to a mixed accelerator and dimethyldithiocarbamic acid that is trapped by ZnO to give the zinc accelerator complex bis(dimethyldithiocarbamato)zinc (II). Exchange also occurs between the accelerators and ligands on both the thiuram and benzothiazole zinc accelerator complexes. Zinc complexes containing ligands of both accelerators were synthesized. These showed little interaction on being heated with sulfur, but on dissolution yielded a spectrum of products similar to that obtained in the other system containing zinc. Reactions to account for changes in the spectrum of products on heating different mixes of these curatives to different temperatures are discussed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Crystallization of vulcanizates. II. Low‐temperature crystallization as a function of extent of cure for polybutadiene vulcanized with dicumyl peroxide,tetramethylthiuram disulfide, 2‐bisbenzothiazole‐2,2′‐disulfide,and zinc–accelerator complexes

Polybutadiene compounds, vulcanized to various degrees of cure, were crystallized in a density column at ?16°C. The percentage crystallinity of vulcanizates was also determined by differential scanning calorimetry where samples, precooled at a programmed rate, were reheated. Curing with peroxides has little effect on either the rate or the extent of crystallization, except at very high crosslink densities, although the induction period prior to crystallization increases progressively with increased crosslink density. Tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD)/sulfur and 2‐bisbenzothiazole‐2,2′‐disulfide (MBTS)/sulfur vulcanizates, cured for progressively longer periods, were found to have lower densities, a result attributed to an increase in free volume occasioned by the formation of accelerator‐terminated pendent groups on the polymer chain. The induction period for crystallization increases and both the rate and the extent of crystallization decrease with extent of cure. These changes are more marked for MBTS vulcanizates that do not crystallize once a gel has formed. Formulations with zinc stearate develop higher crosslink densities and crystallize to a greater extent on cooling, showing the effect of zinc stearate in the crosslinking of pendent groups. The densities of both zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate [Zn₂(dmtc)₄]– and zinc mercaptobenzothiazole [Zn(mbt)₂]–accelerated sulfur vulcanizates increase with cure time, a result attributed to the formation of ZnS in the compounds. Zn₂(dmtc)₄ compounds crystallize extensively on cooling, pointing to limited main‐chain modification. It is suggested that main‐chain modification in these vulcanizates may comprise cyclic sulfide formation. Zn(mbt)₂ compounds crystallize less readily than Zn₂(dmtc)₄ compounds, but to a greater extent than MBTS/sulfur compounds. The crystallization of the vulcanizates is discussed in terms of vulcanization reactions that give rise to crosslinking with the different formulations used. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2573–2586, 2001     

Tetramethylthiuram disulfide and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole as binary accelerators in sulfur vulcanization. III. Vulcanization of polyisoprene in the absence of ZnO

Polyisoprene was vulcanized with the binary accelerator system tetramethylthiuram disulfide–2-mercaptobenzothiazole (TMTD–MBT) in the absence of ZnO. Samples were heated in a DSC at a programmed rate, the reaction was stopped at points along the thermal curve, and the system was analyzed. Extractable curatives and reaction intermediates were analyzed by HPLC and the crosslink density of samples measured by swelling. Two cross-linking reaction sequences were identified, the first being initiated by polysulfides of the mixed accelerator N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamylbenzothiazole disulfide, and the second by MBT. All the TMTD is consumed in the first reaction sequence. Synergism of the reaction is discussed in terms of recent work detailing a reaction mechanism for TMTD-accelerated vulcanization. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Influence of sulfenamide accelerators on cure kinetics and properties of natural rubber foam

The effect of types of sulfenamide accelerator, i.e., 2‐morpholinothiobenzotiazole (MBS), N‐t‐butylbenzothiazole‐2‐sulfenamide (TBBS), and N‐cyclohexyl benzothiazole‐2‐sulfenamide (CBS) on the cure kinetics and properties of natural rubber foam was studied. It has been found that the natural rubber compound with CBS accelerator shows the fastest sulfur vulcanization rate and the lowest activation energy (E_a) because CBS accelerator produces higher level of basicity of amine species than other sulfenamide accelerators, further forming a complex structure with zinc ion as ligand in sulfur vulcanization. Because of the fastest cure rate of CBS accelerator, natural rubber foam with CBS accelerator shows the smallest bubble size and narrowest bubble size distribution. Moreover, it exhibits the lowest cell density, thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient, as well as the highest compression set as a result of fast crosslink reaction. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44822.     

Dimethylammonium dimethyldithiocarbamate‐accelerated sulfur vulcanization. II. Vulcanization of rubbers and model compound 2,3‐dimethyl‐2‐butene

Rubber and model compound 2,3‐dimethyl‐2‐butene were vulcanized for various times with dimethylammonium dimethyldithiocarbamate [(dma)dmtc]‐accelerated sulfur formulations in the absence of ZnO. Model compound systems were analyzed by HPLC, and no reaction intermediates containing pendent groups were found. Crosslinked sulfides, characterized by ¹H‐NMR, were found to be essentially bis(alkenyl). Residual curatives were extracted from rubber compounds vulcanized for various times and analyzed by HPLC. Compounds, cured to various crosslink densities, were found to crystallize readily in a density column at subambient temperatures. This supports evidence from model compound systems that pendent groups are largely absent from vulcanizates. It is suggested that a reaction mechanism, similar to that applicable to zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate‐accelerated sulfur vulcanization, may be applicable with (dma)dmtc accelerated formulations. Very limited crosslinking occurred on heating compounds under vacuum, and this can be attributed largely to the rapid loss of (dma)dmtc from rubber at elevated temperatures. However, the slower rate of crystallization on cooling of the gels, compared to the rate in press‐cured vulcanizates of similar crosslink density, was interpreted as evidence that some pendent groups did form during heating with (dma)dmtc/sulfur. Crosslinking of such pendent groups may be inhibited by the loss of (dma)dmtc, that, like zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate, may catalyze their crosslinking, and/or to the loss under vacuum of dimethyldithiocarbamic acid that would form thiol pendent groups that would rapidly crosslink with thiuram pendent groups. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3074–3083, 2001     

Safe amine based zinc dithiocarbamates for the vulcanization of carbon black reinforced natural rubber

Binary combination of three safe amine based synthesized zinc dithiocarbamates (ZDC), namely zinc (N‐benzyl piperazino) dithiocarbamate (ZBPDC), zinc (N‐ethyl piperazino) dithiocarbamate (ZEPDC), and zinc (N‐phenyl piperazino) dithiocarbamate (ZPPDC) with mercapto benzothiazole disulfide (MBTS) as an effective accelerator system for the vulcanization of carbon black (N330, N550, and N774) filled natural rubber (NR) composites are studied. A comparison between the safe amine based zinc dithiocarbamates with the unsafe zinc dimethyl dithiocarbamate (ZDMC) in the light of mechanical and aging resistance behavior, introduces the non carcinogenic rubber additives in the filled vulcanization of rubber. Both accelerator and filler have the major importance for improving the mechanical as well as aging resistance behavior of the resultant vulcanizate. Variation in the filler and also filler to oil ratio are done to optimize the mechanical properties. SEM studies of different types of filler with different amounts show that N330 at 30 phr loading composites forms more homogeneity and less aggregated structures. Natural rubber systems with N330 carbon black show the best results with respect to tensile strength, but after the aging N774 carbon black filled system indicates better retention in the tensile strength. ZPPDC‐MBTS accelerated vulcanizate shows the better age resistance behavior than ZDMC‐MBTS accelerated vulcanizate. From both the points of age resistance and mechanical properties, ZBPDC‐MBTS accelerator system is the suitable substitute for ZDMC‐MBTS accelerated system in the filled vulcanization of natural rubber composites. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014 , 131, 39988.     

A DSC study of curative interactions. II. The interaction of 2,2′-dibenzothiazole with ZnO,sulfur, and stearic acid

The interaction of combinations of sulfur, 2,2′-dibenzothiazole (MBTS), ZnO, and stearic acid were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. A MBTS/stearic acid interaction was indicated as evidenced by the effect the MBTS/stearic acid combination had on the melting of sulfur, the S_α → S_β transition being suppressed in favor of a S_α → S_γ transition. The dissolution/interaction of MBTS in molten sulfur was also delayed by the MBTS/stearic acid interaction, which, it is proposed, involved protonation of the N atom in MBTS by stearic acid. MBTS did not affect the formation of zinc stearate from ZnO and stearic acid, but when sulfure was added to the mixture, the ZnO/stearic acid reaction did not go to completion. No direct evidence for the formation of 2,2′-dibenzothiazole polysulphides was found, but the absence of the S_γ → S_μ transition in sulfur/MBTS mixes was interpreted as indirect evidence of a reaction between these curatives. There was no evidence for the formation of a sulfur/MBTS/ZnO compound of the type generally attributed the role of an active sulfurating agent in accelerated sulfur vulcanization.     

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