engleski

Characterization of the Natural Rubber Vulcanizates Obtained by Different Accelerators

Zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC) is one of the most commonly used accelerators in natural rubber latex technology because of the properties of the corresponding vulcanizates. Many studies using this accelerator have shown the presence of carcinogenic nitrosamines and therefore its unsuitability for the production of some goods. The possibility of the substitution of the accelerator zinc diethyldithiocarbamate with zinc mercaptobenzothiazole, diphenylguanidine, or their combination, in the vulcanization of NR latex films was investigated. Four series of films were prepared by sulphur vulcanization, changing the accelerator and accelerators concentration in a latex composition. The data covering the estimation of the network structure trought crosslink density and distribution of different crosslink types, mechanical properties, and resistance to heat and ozone degradation are presented. The influence of the type and concentracion of accelerators on these properties of vulcanized films was considered. The results show that the combination of accelerators zinc mercaptobenzothiazole/diphenylguanidine may be regarded as a proper substitute for zinc diethyldithiocarbamate as far as good film properties are desirable.

Accelerators; characterization; degradation; natural rubber; vulcanization

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