Nonisothermal Vulcanization of Rubber Compounds

Abstract

Abstract In the present paper, progress has been made in developing a model for nonisothermal vulcanization of rubber compounds. The model is presently based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements of heat evolved during vulcanization. The model parameters are determined from several isothermal DSC scans including measurements of induction time and rate of vulcanization. This model has conveniently been employed for a calculation of the temperature distribution during vulcanization of a rubber slab based on a one-dimensional heat-conduction equation with a heat-generation term. The simulation allowed us to predict the dynamics of the development of the state of cure distribution in the rubber slabs. Predicted results from the vulcanization model have been verified with experimental data on induction time and rate of vulcanization from nonisothermal DSC scans and with measurements of the state of cure distribution in rubber slabs cured under different vulcanization conditions between two heated plates. Although this model is based on DSC data, the approach developed can easily be extended to similar curing data obtained by means of the modulus measurement technique.