Characterization of the Reversion Process in Accelerated Sulfur Curing of Natural Rubber

Abstract

Abstract From studies of a series of accelerated sulfur vulcanizations of natural rubber, the structural basis of the reversion in macroscopic physical-mechanical properties has been determined. The amount of chemically induced trans-methine butadiene-like structure increases as the reversion process proceeds. When there is no observable reversion, there is no detectable trans-methine butadiene-like structure. The presence of the trans-methine butadiene-like structure is detrimental to the properties of the natural rubber vulcanizate. The vulcanization process involves two competing processes, namely, crosslinking and desulfuration. The latter process produces the trans-methine structure which is responsible for the reversion in properties.