Investigation of heterogeneous processes of cure of chlorosulphonated polyethylene through functional groups using hexamethylenediamine salts

Abstract

A study was made of mechanisms of chlorosulphonated polyethylene (CSPE) vulcanization in the presence of adipic and sebacic hexamethylenediamine salts (AH and SH salts) and hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) dihydrochloride. Crosslinking occurs in the CSPE as a result of topochemical reactions on the surface of the curing agent, and the good strength properties of the vulcanizates are due to the heterogeneous character of the emerging vulcanizing structures. The higher strength values obtained on introducing MgO are the result of better utilization of the salts in crosslinking reactions owing to decomposition of the salts in presence of MgO with formation of HMDA, which is a good curing agent for CSPE, together with more uniform distribution of the curing agent in the volume of the rubber. The experimental results show that CSPE vulcanizates prepared in the presence of AH and SH salts are very similar to thermoelastoplasts and microheterogeneous vulcanizates based on diene elastomers.