MODEL COMPOUND VULCANIZATION - 1. BASIC STUDIES.

In the reported research program, rapid, yet reliable model compound vulcanization techniques have been developed in order to establish a link between MCV and vulcanizate properties. The main features of the new approach are the determination of the sulfidic product yield and a more extensive analysis of the isomer distribution. An increase in reaction time, a decrease in the sulfur level or an increase in the accelerator level lead to similar change in the isomer distributions. Increasing zinc oxide levels lead to an increasing vulcanization efficiency. The isomer distribution is significantly affected by concentration changes. A good correlation between MCV results and the analysis of sulfidic rubber networks in actual vulcanizates was observed.