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.     

The interaction of sulfenamide accelerators with sulfur,ZNO, and stearic acid in the absence of rubber

The interaction of sulfur, ZnO, stearic acid, and the three sulfenamide accelerators N-cyclohexylbenzothiazole sulfenamide (CBS), 2-(4-morpholinothio) benzothiazole (MOR), and 2-t-butylaminobenzothiazole sulfenamide (TBBS) were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry in the absence of rubber. In the presence of sulfur, the same product spectrum is formed as in its absence, but at lower temperatures. Thus, CBS gives N-cyclohexylamino-2-benzothiazole polysulfides (CBP), 2-bisbenzothiazole-2,2′-disulfide (MBTS), 2-bisbenzothiazole-2,2′-polysulfides (MBTP), and 2-bisbenzothiazole-2,2′-monosulfide (MBTP), 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), and 2-N-cyclohexylaminobenzothiazole (CB). In the presence of sulfur, the amount of polysulfides formed initially is higher but the polysulfides are unstable, and on prolonged heating, only MBT and CB remain. MOR and TBBS form analogous product spectra. The sulfenamides do not react with ZnO or zinc stearate. The MBT–amine complex prevents MBT, formed on decomposition, from reacting to give zinc mercaptobenzothiazole (ZHBT). Reaction mechanisms are proposed to account for the formation of the products. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

N,N′‐Pentamethylenethiuram disulfide‐ and N,N′‐pentamethylenethiuram hexasulfide‐accelerated sulfur vulcanization. I. Interaction of curatives in the absence of rubber

N,N′‐pentamethylenethiuram disulfide (CPTD), CPTD/sulfur, and N,N′‐pentamethylenethiuram hexasulfide (CPTP6) were heated in a DSC at a programmed heating rate and isothermally at 140°C. Residual reactants and reaction products were analyzed by HPLC at various temperatures or reaction times. CPTD rapidly formed N,N′‐pentamethylenethiuram monosulfide (CPTM) and N,N′‐pentamethylenethiuram polysulfides (CPTP) of different sulfur rank, CPTP of higher sulfur rank forming sequentially, as reported earlier for tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD). As with TMTD, the high concentration of the accelerator monosulfide that develops is attributed to an exchange between CPTD and sulfenyl radicals, produced on homolysis of CPTD. However, a different mechanism for CPTP formation to that suggested for TMTD is proposed. It is suggested that disulfenyl radicals, resulting from CPTM formation, exchange with CPTD and/or CPTP already formed, to give CPTP of higher sulfur rank. CPTD/sulfur and CPTP6 very rapidly form a similar product spectrum with CPTP of sulfur rank 1–14 being detectable. Unlike with TMTD/sulfur, polysulfides of high sulfur rank did not form sequentially when sulfur was present, CPTP of all sulfur rank being detected after 30 s. It is proposed that sulfur adds directly to thiuram sulfenyl radicals. Recombination with sulfenyl radicals, which would be the most plentiful in the system, would result in highly sulfurated unstable CPTP. CPTP of higher sulfur rank are less stable than are disulfides as persulfenyl radicals are stabilized by cyclization, and the rapid random dissociation of the highly sulfurated CPTP, followed by the rapid random recombination of the radicals, would result in the observed product spectrum. CPTP is thermally less stable than is TMTD and at 140°C decomposed rapidly to N,N′‐pentamethylenethiourea (CPTU), sulfur, and CS₂. At 120°C, little degradation was observed. The zinc complex, zinc bis(pentamethylenedithiocarbamate), did not form at vulcanization temperatures, although limited formation was observed above 170°C. ZnO inhibits degradation of CPTD to CPTU. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2718–2731, 2000     

The thermal decomposition of sulfenamide accelerators

The thermal decomposition of three sulfenamide accelerators N-cyclohexylbenzothiazole sulfenamide (CBS), 2-(4-morpholinothio) benzothiazole (MOR) and 2-t-butylaminobenzothiazole sulfenamide (TBBS) were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The sulfenamides decompose rapidly at 210–220°C, yielding a number of products, including reactive polysulfidic complexes. Thus, CBS gives N-cyclohexylamino-2-benzothiazole polysulfides (CBP), 2-bisbenzothiazole-2,2′-disulfide (MBTS), 2-bisbenzothiazole-2,2′-polysulfides (MBTP), 2-bisbenzothiazole-2,2′-monosulfide (MBTM), 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), and 2-N-cyclohexylaminobenzothiazole (CB). The polysulfides are unstable, and on prolonged heating, only MBT and CB remain. The amine fragment of the accelerator is present as the amine salt of MBT. At lower temperatures, the sulfenamides are relatively stable. MOR forms an analogous product spectrum. The decomposition of TBBS is endothermic, in contrast to the exothermic reaction observed with CBS and MOR, and the concentrations of the various polysulfides do not decrease on prolonged heating. Reaction mechanisms are proposed to account for the formation of the products. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

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 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     

Sulfur vulcanization of polyisoprene accelerated by benzothiazole derivatives. III. The reaction of 2-bisbenzothiazole-2,2′-disulfide with sulfur and ZnO in polyisoprene

The sulfur vulcanization of polyisoprene accelerated by 2-bisbenzothiazole-2,2′-disulfide (MBTS) was investigated. Rubber compounds were heated in a DSC and removed at various temperatures along the DSC thermal curve. The rubber vulcanizate was analyzed for crosslink density and for residual reactants and extractable reaction products. MBTS reacts readily with sulfur, and the polysulfidic accelerator complexes react with the rubber chain to form pendent groups. Crosslinking results from hydrogen abstraction, by the benzothiazole pendent group, from a neighboring chain. 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole, a product of crosslinking, also acts as an accelerator in the later stages of the reaction. MBTS has been shown not to react with ZnO and the higher crosslink densities obtained when ZnO is present are attributed to ZnO aiding the abstraction of the benzothiazole pendent group to give zinc mercaptobenzothiazole. A mechanism for the MBTS acceleration of sulfur vulcanization is proposed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

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.     

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.     

A DSC study of curative interactions. IV. The interaction of tetramethylthiuram disulfide with ZnO,sulfur, and stearic acid

The interaction of combinations of sulfur, tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD), ZnO, and stearic acid were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry in the absence of rubber. TMTD decomposed partially to tetramethylthiuram monosulphide on liquefaction. Sulfur and TMTD reacted at vulcanization temperatures, and although the exact composition of all the products was not established, several features involving DSC and HPLC analysis were interpreted in terms of the formation of tetramethylthiuram polysulfides (TMTP). TMTD decomposed much faster to volatile products such as Me₂NH, CS₂, and CS when heated in the presence of stearic acid. Contrary to literature reports on the facile reaction of TMTD and ZnO to yield zinc perthiomercaptides (or zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate), the TMTD/ZnO reaction was found to be extremely sluggish under a variety of conditions. In the presence of sulfur, too, the TMTD/ZnO reaction was of negligible importance. It was inferred that several reactions occurred concurrently on heating a TMTD/stearic acid/ZnO system. These reactions were not observed for the sulfur/TMTD/stearic acid/ZnO mixture per se, but, instead, the stearic acid/ZnO reaction was very prominent. The formation of zinc stearate occurred at temperatures as low as 77°C in the quadruple system. TMTD and zinc stearate were virtually unreactive at vulcanization temperatures. None of the reactions involving ZnO could be attributed to the formation of a zinc perthiomercaptide, generally accepted to be a precursor in thiuram vulcanization.     

Comparison of tetraethyl‐ and tetramethylthiuram disulfide vulcanization. I. Reactions in the absence of rubber

The reactions of tetraethylthiuram di‐ and monosulfide (TETD and TETM, respectively) were investigated in the absence of rubber and compared with those reported previously for tetramethylthiuram compounds. The reactions of TETM, TETD, and zinc diethyldithiocarbamic acid with zinc oxide and sulfur were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, and the reaction products analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. TETM was shown to be more stable at vulcanization temperatures (±150°C), but also less reactive with sulfur than tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD). The reactions of TETD are very similar to those of TMTD, the TETD reacting slower than the TMTD to form analogous products. In the presence of zinc oxide, the formation of the zinc compound of TETD, zinc diethyldithiocarbamic acid, occurred readily. TMTD does not react readily with zinc oxide. The reaction of TETD with sulfur lead to the formation of polysulfidic accelerator species, although the concentrations formed in the absence of rubber were considerably less than that formed by the corresponding TMTD system. These differences in reactivity would affect the vulcanization reactions that take place in the rubber. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2292–2299, 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.     

Polyisoprene,poly(styrene‐cobutadiene), and their blends. I. Vulcanization reactions with tetramethylthiuram disulfide/sulfur

Polyisoprene (IR), poly(styrene‐cobutadiene) (SBR) and IR–SBR blends were vulcanized with tetramethylthiuram disulfide/sulfur in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) at a programmed heating rate and isothermally in a press at 130^oC. The reaction was stopped at various stages, and the crosslink densities were measured. Residual curatives and extractable reaction intermediates were analyzed by high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). IR crosslinked more rapidly than SBR, and the difference was attributed to the greater reactivity of the accelerator polysulfides in intitiating reaction with IR than with SBR. In blends, the greater reactivity of IR led to the earlier crosslinking of IR, the depletion of curatives in the IR phase, and the diffusion of curatives from SBR to IR. Consequently, a zone of highly crosslinked material developed in IR close to the interface. The freezing point of a solvent, imbibed into a gel, is decreased as crosslinking proceeds, and dissimilarities in the crosslink densities of the phases in blends were demonstrated by comparing the crosslink density, calculated from swelling experiments, with the depression of the freezing point of the imbibed solvent. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1250–1263, 1999     

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     

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     

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

Polyisoprene was vulcanized with binary accelerator systems comprising mixtures of the zinc salts of tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD) and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT). 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. DSC curves for the different systems displayed similar characteristics and their similarity to the curve obtained with the zinc salt of TMTD rather than to the curve obtained with the zinc salt of MBT suggested that the reaction was dominated by the former accelerator. This conclusion was supported by HPLC analyses of extractable curatives. A reaction mechanism for the binary system is discussed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

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     

Copolymerization of elemental sulfur with styrene

Copolymerization of elemental sulfur with styrene in the presence and absence of metallic sodium was studied at 120°C and 138°C. Propagation of the reaction was followed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Glass transition temperatures of all samples were obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Reaction products were fractionated with a preparative-type GPC, and each fraction was characterized by DSC, vapor pressure osmometry, infrared spectrophotometry, and both proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. Results indicate that the product is a true copolymer of styrene and sulfur. Kinetics of the copolymerization were studied using GPC to monitor styrene and sulfur concentrations. The initial rate of copolymerization (as followed by the consumption of styrene and sulfur) decreases with increasing initial styrene to sulfur ratio. From kinetic analyses, ratios of the rate constants of homo- and copolymerization were determined. Copolymerization of the reactants is more spontaneous than homopolymerization. The reactivity ratios obtained are 0.2 for styrene and 0.6 for sulfur.     

A study of the rate of formation of polysulfides of tetramethylthiuram disulfide

The rate of formation of tetramethylthiuram polysulfides (TMTP), that play an important role in vulcanization, was studied. After a short induction period (<30 s), tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD) and TMTD-sulfur mixes, heated to 130–150°C in the absence of rubber, rapidly form a series of TMTPs. The concentrations of TMTPs of lower sulfur rank increase most rapidly, indicating that sulfur atoms are added to the accelerator sequentially. The incorporation of sulfur molecules to give TMTPs, which subsequently desulfurate, does not occur. Equilibrium concentrations of the various TMTPs are achieved in about 2 min. Little tetramethylthiourea is formed below 200°C. Tetramethylthiuram monosulfide (TMTM) is stable, but TMTM-sulfur mixes form TMTPs. A mechanism is proposed to account for the large amount of TMTM formed on heating TMTD in the absence of sulfur and the correspondingly higher TMTP concentrations in the presence of sulfur. © 1995 John Wiley Sons, Inc.     

A DSC study of curative interactions. I. The interaction of ZnO,sulfur, and stearic acid

The interaction between combinations of sulfur, stearic acid, and ZnO were studied by differential scanning calorimetry in the absence of rubber. The only reaction observed was between ZnO and stearic acid. A small amount of zinc stearate formed as soon as the stearic acid melted, but the solid product blocked further reaction, which was only completed at 154°C. Water played a major role in the reaction, and in the presence of water, the reaction went to completion at lower temperatures. Sulfur, too, affected the temperature of the ZnO/stearic acid reaction. The preparation of zinc stearate by a number of routes was investigated.