Hydrosilylation crosslinking of silicone rubber catalyzed by bis (1,5-cyclooctadiene) di-μ,μ′-chlorodirhodium

Hydrosilylation vulcanization of addition silicone rubber catalyzed by bis (1,5-cyclooctadiene) di-μ,μ′-chlorodirhodium at 150° was studied. The course of vulcanization, rubber network density, and mechanical properties of the vulcanizate are discussed with respect to the structure and molecular weight of the reactive groups of telechelic and internal vinylmethylpolysiloxanes and crosslinking methyl (hydrogen) dimethyl siloxane copolymers. Molecular weights of the polysiloxane components as well as the ration of unsaturated and Si—H groups were optimized. The results are in agreement with the theory of rubber elasticity of polymer networks and show wide application possibilities of the catalyst used.