Abstract
AbstractCopper chloride (CuCl2) is used in sulfur‐cured natural rubber (NR) to regulate disulfide exchange reaction in self‐healing process while factors influencing the healing capability remain unclear. Herein CuCl2 and other additives including zinc oxide and sulfur are used to mediate self‐healing efficiency of NR vulcanizates. For revealing the role of proteins and phospholipids in NR, the mediated self‐healing capability is compared with sulfur‐cured isoprene rubber (IR) vulcanizates. The results reveal that CuCl2 interferes rheological responses and vulcanization dynamics in both rubbers, and it causes intermolecular disassociation in NR gums. As self‐healing capability is closely related to crosslinking density, formulation is adjusted to balance healing efficiency and tensile strength. Healing efficiency of around 70% and the highest tensile strength of about 6 MPa are achieved at crosslinking density about 70 mol/m3 when vulcanizates are healed at 140°C for 30 min.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
