The Reaction of Sulfur and Sulfur Compounds with Olefinic Substances. V. Rubber Vulcanization

Abstract

Abstract Data presented for a range of vulcanized rubbers prepared under different conditions show that, while olefinic unsaturation becomes reduced by vulcanization in the proportion of one double bond for each sulfur atom combined with a C5H8 unit, the original H/C ratio of 8/5 is not altered. The loss of unsaturation is somewhat modified when zinc oxide or certain accelerators also are present. Oxygen has a slight inhibiting effect on vulcanization; hydrogen sulfide and thiols markedly catalyse the vulcanization reaction without, apparently, affecting the efficiency of the sulfur cross-linking reaction. In confirmation of the results of Hull, Olsen, and France, a small proportion of zinc oxide or a soluble zinc soap promotes a reaction between sulfur and mercapto groups whereby di- and polysulfides are formed with liberation of hydrogen sulfide. The same type of activity is shown by some of the nitrogenous accelerators commonly used in rubber vulcanization. Substantial conversion of mercapto groups into polysulfide linkages is, therefore, to be expected when vulcanization is conducted in the presence of these auxiliary substances.