Properties of Hard Rubber. XXI. Influence of Vulcanization Temperature

Abstract

Abstract In previous reports the properties of hard rubber made from rubber and sulfur were studied with particular reference to the effects of varying the rubber-sulfur ratio and vulcanization time. In the present report, a continuation of this investigation, the influence of temperature of vulcanization of similar materials is studied. Materials having rubber-sulfur ratios of 65/35 and 70/30 were vulcanized in a press at three different temperatures, namely, 165°, 155°, and 135° C, the times of vulcanization employed being estimated to be equivalent to 5 hours at 155° C. As a check on the estimate of the equivalent times, small samples of the same materials were vulcanized for various shorter and longer periods and were tested for plastic yield temperature and percentage of free sulfur. The main materials were tested for the following properties by the methods described in the previous report : Combination of sulfur, density, cross-breaking strength and elongation, impact strength, plastic-yield temperature, permittivity and power factor at audio and radio frequencies, and surface discoloration in sunlight. Certain anomalous figures were obtained in the impact test results which were thought to be due to the necessity of carrying out the longer vulcanization processes in stages. Arrangements were made accordingly to conduct the vulcanization continuously in such cases. This procedure brought about a considerable improvement in the results. These results confirmed the conclusion reached in the previous report that impact strength is very sensitive to untraced variables in manufacture. The results of the permittivity and power factor tests are discussed at some length, since they afford useful information on a number of other variables, principally rubber-sulfur ratio, frequency, and temperature of test. In a general discussion of the results, the choice of the best vulcanization temperature is examined. It is concluded that the selection of the best temperature involves compromise between opposing tendencies in the different properties.