Influence of the nature and formulation of sty rene-butadiene rubber on the effects produced by surface treatment with trichloroisocyanuric acid

Abstract

The nature and formulation of two synthetic sulfur-vulcanized styrene-butadiene rubbers affected the extent, but not the nature, of the surface modification produced by halogenation with different amounts (1-7 wt%) of trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCI) solutions in ethyl acetate. R1 rubber had a low oil and plasticizer content, whereas R2 rubber contained a smaller amount of styrene than R1, and a relatively significant amount of oil and plasticizer. Chlorination of the rubbers decreased their tensile strength (more markedly in R2) without noticeable changes in elongation at break, and heterogeneities and cracks were created on the rubber surface (mainly in R2). The surface modifications were not influenced by the manner in which the post-chlorination agent was removed (air or vacuum). Chlorination with TCI created C-Cl, C-O, and COO- moieties on the rubber surface which were responsible for its enhanced acid-base contribution to the surface energy. The extent of chlorination was more extensive in R1 (the rubber with a smaller butadiene content). The surface modification was less effective for R2, due to its noticeable amount of oil and plasticizer. On the other hand, when the chlorination was carried out with 7 wt% TCI, removal of the excess of the post-chlorination agent in vacuum prevented the formation of weak boundary layers (due to isocyanuric acid + mechanically damaged surface) in the treated surfaces. The nature and formulation of the rubber determined the thickness of the weak boundary layer (thinner in R1). On the other hand, a relatively deep penetration (at least 10 nm) of the chlorination agent into the rubber bulk was produced.