Vulcanization of Elastomers. 24. The Effect of Fillers on the Course of Vulcanization Reactions. I

Abstract

Abstract The effect of Aerosil on the chemical reactions and the kinetics observed in thiuram vulcanizations was subjected to closer scrutiny. Results now available show: 1. Aerosil does not alter the chemical mechanism of thiuram vulcanizations. It also has no qualitative effect on the kinetics of the various reactions involved. Thiuram disappearance and dithiocarbamate formation over by far the greatest range of conversions are first order reactions. Nevertheless, the limiting value of dithiocarbamate formation is somewhat higher than in the absence of Aerosil. 2. Quantitatively speaking, essential differences are involved. The rate constants for both thiuram loss and dithiocarbamate formation rise considerably when Aerosil is used; in both cases there is a dependence on the Aerosil content of the rubber compound. Yet the activation energies of thiuram disappearance and dithiocarbamate formation are practically the same as in Aerosil-free thiuram vulcanizations, amounting to about 21 kcal/mole. 3. Measurements of the limiting equilibrium swelling reveal that adding Aerosil does not result in additional crosslinking, so that in thiuram vulcanizations the catalytic action displayed by silica gel is the outstanding feature.