The crosslinking of polymer molecules, also known as curing, is widely used to improve the physical properties of elastomeric materials. Sulfur was first used with natural rubber as early as the 1840s; since that time, many new rubber types have been developed and many additional chemicals have been introduced as components of vulcanization systems. In fact, rubber curing systems vary both with the polymer type and the property requirements of a particular application.

This review addresses those issues in detail, providing typical formulations and cure types for a number of specific uses. It discusses a wide range of rubber types, including natural rubber, SBR, NBR, BR, IIR, CR, XIIR, and EPDM. The uses of primary and secondary accelerators, prevulcanization inhibitors (PVIs) and antireversion chemicals are outlined. Typical rubber formulations for applications in industrial rubber products and tires are given. Cure systems are described and compared with extensive data tables on formulae and compound properties.

From the Introduction: “Crosslinking or curing, i.e. forming covalent, hydrogen or other bonds between polymer molecules, is a technique used very widely to alter polymer properties...Over the years three special types of cure systems have been developed. They are efficient vulcanisation (EV) systems, semi-efficient vulcanisation (SEV) systems, and conventional vulcanisation (CV) systems...”

Rapra Review Reports contain a brief overview of the topic, followed by extensive references, with abstracts, from the Rapra database. They serve as condensed, valuable research tools for scientists, technologists, and other researchers working with rubber or plastics materials.

Target Audience: Professionals in industry or academia who are concerned with rubber curing systems.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Curing Systems

Some Practical Examples with Varying Cure Systems

Concluding Remarks

References

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Abstracts from the Polymer Library Database

Subject Index