Vulcanization Kinetics of Natural Rubber Coagulated by Microorganisms with Use of a Vulcameter

Abstract

Kinetics of vulcanization of natural rubber coagulated by microorganisms (NR-m) was studied with the use of a vulcameter. In the induction period of vulcanization, the time t0 of NR-m is shorter than that of natural rubber coagulated by acid (NR-a), and the rate constant k1/a of NR-m are greater than that of NR-a. Both the curing periods of NR-m and NR-a consist of two stages. The first stage follows first-order reaction. The rate constants k2 of NR-m in the first stage are greater than that of NR-a at the same temperature, and so are the activation energy E2. The second stage (end stage of the curing period) does not follow first-order reaction, and the calculated reaction order n of NR-m is in the range of 0.82-0.85, and that of NR-a is in the range of 0.64-0.72. The rate constants k3 of the second stage for NR -m are greater than that of NR-a at the same temperature, and so is the activation energy E3.