Study of curative interactions in cis-1,4-polyisoprene. XII. The cis-1,4-polyisoprene–sulfur–tetramethylthiuram disulphide–ZnO–stearic acid vulcanization system

Several aspects on the mechanism of vulcanization in the synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene (IR)-sulfur-tetramethylthiuram disulphide (TMTD)–ZnO system were harmonized. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms showed that the vulcanization processes became better resolved on increasing the curative loading in the compound. Two major crosslinking reactions occurred consecutively in the IR (100)–sulfur (9.46)–TMTD (8.86)–ZnO (3.00) mixture, viz the IR–sulfur–TMTD–ZnO and IR–sulfur–zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate (ZDMC) (or IR–sulfur–ZDMC–ZnO) reactions. In the first process poly-and disulfidic pendent groups RS_xSX (R = polyisoprenyl, X = Me₂NC (S), x ≥ 1) formed via the IR–XSS_xSX reaction, and in the second via the IR–XSS_xZnSSX reaction. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) data showed that dimethyldithiocarbamic acid liberated during the IR–sulfur–TMTD–ZnO reaction was trapped by ZnO to yield ZDMC. Hence ZDMC was a product, and not precursor, of this crosslinking process. A comparison of reactions in IR–sulfur–TMTD–ZnO and poly(ethylene-co-propylene)–sulfur–TMTD–ZnO mixtures showed that the participation of IR molecules was essential for ZDMC formation. The ZDMC concentration remained constant at ～ 38.4 mol % during the later stages of cure, showing that it did not participate in the desulfuration reactions of polysulfidic links. In the presence of stearic acid the stearic acid–ZnO reaction occurred at 87°C as was manifested by an intense crystallization peak of zinc stearate. The vulcanization processes were the same both in the presence and absence of stearic acid.     

Crosslinking of poly(vinyl chloride) with metal oxides,sulfur, and organo sulfur compounds

The crosslinking of poly(vinyl chloride) in the presence of zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, ethylenethiourea (ETU), tetramethylthiuramdisulfide (TMTD), and sulfur at 160 and 180°C has been studied. The effects of ETU and sulfur on the crosslinking of PVC in the presence of TMTD have been individually studied. It has been found that zinc dimethyldivhiocarbamate (ZnDMDC) is the actual crosslinking agent and heat stabilizer of PVC, formed in the cured polymer mix.     

亚乙基硫脲对PVC和PVC/ENR共混物的交联作用

从交联速率、压缩永久变形、凝胶质量分数、强伸性能和耐热性能等方面考察了亚乙基硫脲（ＥＴＵ）和ＥＴＵ／硫黄对ＰＶＣ及其与环氧化天然橡胶（ＥＮＲ）共混物的交联作用。结果表明,ＥＴＵ和ＥＴＵ／硫黄对ＰＶＣ及其与ＥＮＲ的共混物有明显的交联作用;交联后共混物的物理性能和耐热性能均有较大提高;适当增大ＥＮＲ用量,有利于提高共混物的热变形性能;ＰＶＣ／ＥＮＲ的共混比为７０／３０时,硫黄的最佳用量为１５份,促进剂选择促进剂ＤＭ／ＴＭＴＤ体系为佳。     

Chemorheology of irradiation-cured natural rubbers: 1. Stress relaxation mechanisms for various curing systems in natural rubber at high temperature

Stress relaxation mechanisms were investigated for various curing systems in natural rubber, especially the ‘complex’ crosslinking irradiation cure systems containing sulphur or tetramethylthiuram disulphide (TMTD) in both air and nitrogen mainly at 100°C. With the systems, the chemical stress relaxation in air showed that in the main oxidative scission was the major cause of stress decay. However, the number of moles of main chain scission, q_m(t) seemed to be dependent on the chemical structure of the crosslink. In the TMTD curing system and irradiation-TMTD curing systems, q_m(t) is independent of the ratio, ρ, of the effective chain density N_c(0) based on the carbon-carbon crosslinkages to N_m(0) based on mono- and di-sulphide linkages. Stress decay in air of both accelerated-sulphur cures and irradiation-sulphur cures was shown to be due to both the interchange reaction of polysulphide linkages and random scission of the main chain. On the other hand, in nitrogen there are two simultaneous reactions at the crosslink:interchange and thermal scission.     

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.     

Reaction of poly(vinyl chloride) with ethylenediamine hydrotrisulphide and properties of the products

The chemical structure and the properties of the products of the reaction of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with ethylenediamine hydrotrisulphide were investigated. PVC derivatives containing a polysulphide crosslinkage and a hydropolysulphide pendant (PSC-PVC) were obtained by the reaction of PVC with ethylenediamine hydrotrisulphide in ethylenediamine (EN) as well as in EN-diglyme, and EN-benzene at 20–50°C for 0.5–5h. The chemical structure of PSC-PVC was determined from crosslinking density before and after iodine oxidation and elemental analysis. Scission of polysulphide crosslinkage in PSC-PVC by some thiols was carried out in tetrahydrofuran-triethylamine solution at 30°C for 1–4h as well as in a hot roller mill at 125–180°C for 2–8 min. The former product was photocrosslinked under ultra-violet irradiation in air and the latter showed the properties of a plastic, a leather, and a rubber with increasing weight of dioctyl phthalate.     

Crosslinking of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) by substitution and free radical reaction

Two new methods to obtain crosslinking plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) are shown. One is by the substitution reaction of PVC with the sodium salt of γ-mercaptopropyl trimetoxysilane and the other is by the free-radical reaction of azide-modified PVC with γ-acryloxypropyltrimetoxysilane and vinyltri(2-metoxyetoxy)silane. The content of gel and the number average molecular weight between crosslinking (M_c) were determined by Soxhlet extraction and by using the Flory-Rehner equation. The reactions of PVC with the above organosilanes under normal processing conditions of the polymer lead to high gel contents and, therefore, low M_c. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break at 110°C of these polymers are greatly enhanced over those of the uncrosslinked polymer. The results are improved compared to those taken from literature for similar systems. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

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.     

Self‐crosslinking and cocrosslinking with nitrile rubber of poly(vinyl chloride) with pendent N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate group

In order to realize the self‐crosslinking and cocrosslinking of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with nitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBR), PVC with pendent N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate groups (PVC‐SR) was prepared from the reaction of PVC with sodium SR in butanone. The PVC‐SR was self‐crosslinked and the PVC‐SR/NBR blend was cocrosslinked under heating at 170°C. The effect of the degree of functionality of PVC‐SR on the torque, gel content, glass‐transition temperature, and tensile properties was investigated. The results showed that the crosslinking reaction did not occur for PVC, NBR, or the PVC/NBR blend. Introducing the SR groups into PVC caused the crosslinking reaction to occur and the high gel contents of the crosslinked samples were obtained in 15 min. The degree of crosslinking increased with the degree of functionality of PVC‐SR. The mechanism of the crosslinking reaction was discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 634–638, 2001     

Effects of glycidyl methacrylate content and addition sequence on the acrylic latexes with carboxyl groups

Acrylic latexes with epoxy and carboxyl groups have been synthesized via a two-stage emulsion polymerization process. Different contents of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) were introduced by three addition modes to copolymerize with methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, acrylic acid (AA) in the presence of K₂S₂O₈. To obtain stable latexes, NaHCO₃ was employed as a buffer to compensate for the acidity from the thermal dissociation of K₂S₂O₈, and triethylamine was used to neutralize the carboxyl acid from AA. The results showed that the stable latexes with core/shell structure were synthesized by this method, and higher GMA content or addition at earlier stage led to forming the latexes with higher content of coagulum and bigger sized particles. During the formation of films, the polymer epoxy groups underwent the crosslinking reaction with carboxyl acid. When the GMA content increased or GMA was introduced at a later stage, high crosslinking extent was formed in the films. As a result, the crosslinking provided the films with improved water resistance, chemical resistance, tensile strength, hardness, abrasion resistance, and thermal stability.     

Thermomechanical behavior of poly(vinyl chloride) in the process of degradation

The thermomechanical behavior of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was investigated during its thermal degradation by using torsional braid analysis. In thermomechanical behavior as a function of temperature, the relative rigidity G_r decreased initially with increasing temperature, then began to increase passing through a minimum at about 200°C, and finally decreased at 340°C. Increase in G_r from 200°C was caused by formation of a conjugated polyene chain accompanied by dehydrochlorination and by crosslinking reaction, and decrease in G_r at 340°C was related to scission reactions of the crosslinking network by oxidation. In the change in logarithmic decrement Δ, three peaks were observed: at 90°C, coinciding with the glass transition of the polymer; at about 200°C, due to the melting transition of crystallites, and at about 300°C, due to a loss of mechanical energy in the rheological transition of the polymer from a liquid state to a glassy state passing through a viscoelastic region. The thermomechanical properties of PVC with different molecular weights were also measured, and the effect of molecular weight G_r and Δ are discussed. In isothermal measurements of the relative rigidity in air, exponentially increasing curves were observed as a function of time. These curves were analyzed kinetically as a first-order reaction, and an activation energy of 22.7 kcal/mole was obtained.     

Modification of poly(vinyl chloride). XXXIII. Novel poly(vinyl chloride) foam crosslinked with 6-dibutylamino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiol

The formulation for producing the PVC foam crosslinked with a novel crosslinking agent such as 6-dibutylamino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiol (DB) was studied to determine the processing conditions. DB was almost consumed by radical combination with a coexistent blowing agent such as azobisformamide to give a high-density foam with excessively low crosslinking density. Blowing agents such as p-toluenesulfonylhydrazide (TSH) and 4,4′-oxybis(benzenesulfonylhydrazide) (OBSH) gave a crosslinked foam of low density, while a combination of the two crosslinking agents had moderate crosslinking reaction rate. The formulation recommended in the present study consists of PVC Zeon 101EP or Zeon 121 for paste, 100 parts; DOP, 100 parts; DB, 3–5 parts; OBSH or TSH, 10 parts; MgO, 1–3 parts; and RP101 (mixture of Ba, Ca, and Zn stearate), 2 parts, which gave colorless and insoluble foam of apparent density 0.14 under hot pressing at 180°C. The molded foam could be released without extraction of heat from a hot mold for fusion and expansion.     

The limiting value of ZDMC formation: new insight into the reaction of ZNO and TMTD

The reaction of ZnO and tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD) was reinvestigated in detail. Under conditions where evaporation of volatiles is possible, TMTD and an excess of ZnO are found to produce bis(dimethyldithiocarbamato)zinc(II) (ZDMC) in limiting amounts close to 60 mol %, irrespective of the ratio between ZnO and TMTD. This result points to the operation of more than one route toward ZDMC. When ZnO and TMTD are reacted in closed vessels in inert atmosphere, a nucleophilic reaction of ZnO with TMTD was confirmed by GC–mass spectroscopy (MS) detection of COS and NMR observation of tetramethylthiourea (TMTU). This route is found to account for about 70 mol % of the total amount of ZDMC formed. A previously unrecognized redox reaction between ZnO, sulfur, and TMTD, furnishing ZnSO₄ and ZDMC, is responsible for approximately 15 mol % of the amount of ZDMC. Other products that were detected are CO₂, CS₂, and tetramethylurea, whereas ZnSO₃, ZnS, and dioxygen were absent. Based on the latter observation, the operation of a mechanism constituting radical reduction of water by TMTD, yielding dioxygen, was excluded. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 1247–1257, 1999     

Study of curative interactions in cis-1,4-polyisoprene (IR). VII. The cis-1,4-polyisoprene–tetramethylthiuram disulfide–ZnO system

A detailed account of the mechanism of crosslinking in the cis-1,4-polyisoprene (IR)-tetramethylthluram disulfide (TMTD)–ZnO system is given. Many experimental observations were harmonized in terms of a radical mechanism, rather than an ionic mechanism. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra on the IR–TMTD–ZnO system, recorded at 120°C, inter alia revealed resonance lines in the vicinity of g = 2.02. These were related to the rapid formation of thiuram persulphenyl radicals XS, on the homolytic splitting of tetramethylthiuram polysulfides. The Moore–Trego efficiency E dropped from 11.5 (at 140.0°C) to 3.5 (at 146.9°C), indicating that a substantial part of the sulfur atoms was initially to be associated with pendent groups. The formation of these pendent groups could be viewed as an irreversible, concerted reaction without the formation of a true alkenyl radical intermediate. Crosslinks would form by either a disproportionation reaction between two α-methylic or α-methylenic pendent groups RS_xX or a reaction between a pendent groups RS_xX (R = polyisoprenyl, x ≥ 2, X = Me₂NC(S)) and the unsaturated polymer chain. The latter crosslink formation reactions were regarded as rate determining in the vulcanization sequence. A mechanism is proposed that does not require the participation of ZnO in the formation of the active sulfurating agent.     

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     

Ultraviolet irradiation of poly(vinyl chlorides). Part I. Effect of substituents on radiation parameters

The crosslinking and main-chain scission of PVC and its derivatives by ultraviolet radiation at 2537 A. were investigated. Examination of the relationship between gel fraction and radiation dose showed that the number of crosslinks formed in pure PVC per 100 e.v., G_c., was 0.29 and did not vary greatly from pure PVC to commercial PVC. However, the efficiency of scission was lowest (G_s = 0.06) for purified PVC, increased to 0.23–0.26 for commercial PVC, and increased further when chelates were substituted on PVC at C1 atoms. G_s for PVC with opper thalocyanine was 0.62, with copper salicylate was 1.38, and was 6.20 with ferrocene. G_c values also increased in the same order, from 0.40 to 3.10. The ratio of main-chain fractures to number of crosslinks formed (β/α) increased again in this order from 0.1 for purified PVC to 1.0 for PVC–ferrocene. For purified PVC, β/α increased after 36 hr. of ultraviolet irradiations. In the presence of copper salicylate and ferrocene, ion-radical reactions probably contribute towards the high β/α ratio. Ability of the aromatic substituents to enter chain–transfer reactions with polymeric radicals followed by coupling reactions may contribute partly towards crosslinking in PVC.     

Chemical Modification of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) with Ethylene Glycol and its Application in Ion-Chromatography

ABSTRACT

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) has been chemically modified through crosslinking with different molar ratios of sodium ethylene glycoxide in ethylene glycol. The crosslinked PVC was used for coating of silica gel 60 particles and the obtained products were impregnated with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH). The crosslinking reaction as well as the insertion of TMAH were followed up and quantitatively determined with the aid of FT-IR spectroscopic and elemental analyses. The obtained materials were roughly tested for ion chromatographic separation of different ions. Retention time ( t _R) was determined for lithium, magnesium, strontium, and calcium cations whereas chloride, nitrate, and sulfate were selected as representatives for anions.     

Vulcanization of Nitrile Rubber. Part I. Effect of Some Accelerators on the Physicomechanical Properties of Vulcanized Nitrile Rubber for Resistance to Fuel and General Use

Compounding mixtures were prepared based on acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (Krynac 803) to which increasing parts per hundred rubber (pphr) of the following accelerates were added: tetramethyl thiuram disulfur (TMTD in series A₁), tetramethyl thiuram monosulfur (TMTM in series A₂), 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT in series A₃), and 2,2′-dithiobisbenzothiazole (MBTS in series A₄). Effects of the quantity and type of accelerator on the vulcanization characteristics were studied. Physicomechanical investigations and swelling resistance were determined for samples immersed in benzene:benzol mixture at normal temperature. It was found that according to the type and quantity of accelerator, the optimum cure time decreased with increasing the quantity of accelerator. Relatively higher values of scorch time (8 min, at 1.0–3.0 pphr), which seems to ensure safe processing during production was obtained for TMTM (series A₂). TMTD (in quantity of 2.0 pphr) led to the highest value of rate of cure (14.0 min^?1). The best values of tensile strength (210 kg/cm², and 208 kg/cm²) were reached in TMTD (series A₁) and TMTM (series A₂), whereas MBT (series A₃) and MBTS (series A₄) resulted in tensile strength values of 140 and 155 kg/cm², respectively. The highest value of modulus (86 kg/cm²) was obtained in TMTD (series A₁ at 2.0 pphr). Whereas TMTD (series A₁) and TMTM (series A₂) led to relatively lower values of elongation at break (180% and 190%), it was found that MBT (series A₃) and MBTS (series A₄) led to higher values (280% and 260%). Small effects on the elasticity were observed when changing the type and quantity of accelerator. Relatively higher values of hardness were reached for series A₁ and A₂ as compared with series A₃ and A₄. The lowest values of percent volume increase after immersion in benzene:benzol mixture (8.3%) was obtained for A₁ (at 1.5 pphr of TMTD), as compared with the other three accelerators.     

Zinc maleate and calcium stearate as a complex thermal stabilizer for poly(vinyl chloride)

Zinc maleate (ZnMA) and calcium maleate (CaMA) were synthesized by reaction of maleic acid with the corresponding metal oxides and were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The thermal stabilizing effects of ZnMA and CaMA on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were investigated at 180°C in air by a static stability test. The stabilization mechanism of ZnMA and the synergism of ZnMA/CaSt₂ (St = stearate) were also studied by UV‐visible and FTIR spectroscopies, as well as a thermal stability test. The PVC with the ZnMA stabilizer exhibited good thermal and color stability caused by the ability of ZnMA to replace the labile chlorine atoms in PVC chains, absorb hydrogen chloride, and react with the polyene intermediates via a Diels–Alder mechanism. The gel content of the PVC/ZnMA samples reached 31% after 2 min of heating and 44% after 10 min, thereby indicating that crosslinking could easily occur with ZnMA, probably owing to catalysis by Zn species. The static and dynamic stability results showed that the synergistic effect of the ZnMA/CaSt₂ stabilizer was greater than that of ZnSt₂/CaSt₂. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 20:1–9, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers