Thermovulcanization of polychloroprene rubber and its blends with poly(vinyl chloride)

Heat and mechanical stressing at higher temperatures effect changes in polychloroprene rubber leading to network formation. During thermovulcanization of polychloroprene rubber in the temperature range of 150–200°C, two reactions have been observed and their kinetic parameters determined. When the rubber is stressed by shearing forces, the rate of degradation crosslinking is fairly high even at relatively low temperatures (90–150°C). Thermovulcanization of polychloroprene rubber/poly(vinyl chloride) blends has been investigated in the entire concentration range at 180°C. Maxima have been observed on the dependences of some kinetic parameters of the thermovulcanization reaction on polymer blend composition.