Abstract
Abstract A three-dimensional structure is formed during the vulcanization of rubber. The complex processes of formation, rupture, and regrouping of bonds during vulcanization lead finally to union of the long chain molecules into a compact network. The density of the network formed during vulcanization and the distribution and degree of sulfide formation by the bonds govern to a large degree the work-capacity of vulcanizates. Structure formation in vulcanizates is manifest by the change of their tensile strength, elasticity, swelling, and solubility. During the vulcanization of natural rubber, an optimum is observed in the change of tensile strength and other technically important properties of the material. The decrease of tensile strength of vulcanizates by overvulcanization is usually ascribed to the oxidative destruction of the molecular chains of the rubber. The strong influence which has been observed of oxygen on the tensile strength of natural rubber and its vulcanizates is the basic argument in favor of oxidative destruction. This influence, however, only appears when the rubber is in direct contact with oxygen or air. When, in the rubber industry, vulcanization is carried out in presses, the surface of the rubber mixture is isolated from atmospheric oxygen, and, consequently, destruction in this case can be caused only by the oxygen dissolved in the rubber mixture.
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