Effect of vulcanization temperature and synergism of accelerators on the network and technical properties of efficiently vulcanized natural rubber mixes

The effect of an increase in vulcanization temperature from 150° to 180°C on the network structure and technical properties of gum natural rubber vulcanizates has been studied using six different binary combinations of tetramethyl thiuram disulphide (TMTD) and 2-(morpholinodithio)benzothiazole (MDB) at fixed sulphur level (0.6 parts per hundred rubber). On the basis of processing safety, reversion resistance, technical properties, retention of properties after aging and percentage losses in properties on increasing the vulcanization temperature by 30°C, if was found that the combination with MDB (1.2 phr) TMTD (0.6 phr) showed the best synergism of the two accelerators. Results of chemical characterization of vulcanizate networks have been correlated with their technical properties. At higher vulcanization temperature, lower degree of crosslink density and with increasing extent of sulphidic main chain modification, a reduction in strength, modulus, hardness and resilience resulted and brought about a higher compression set and a greater heat build-up during Goodrich flexometer tests. The better cut growth and flex properties of vulcanizates cured at 180°C have been explained on the basis of the distribution of different types of crosslinks and stress relaxation caused by lower crosslink density.