A B S T R A C TThiol-containing antioxidants such a s 4-(mercaptoacetamido)-diphenylamine (MADA) undergo ready addition of -SH groups to the double bonds in diene rubbers in the presence of initiators. The reaction is a radical chain process leading to rubbers with improved thermooxidative resistance. The modification reaction has been carried out on high cis-polyisoprene and polybutadiene, and conditions under which the physicochemical properties (e.g., inherent viscosity, gel content, and microstructure) are less affected have been found. An oxygen absorption test and DSC were used as rapid methods for evaluation of thermooxidative stability of modified rubbers. The superiority of rubbers with MADA chemically attached (ranging from 1 to 4 phr) was shown by a circulating air oven test and by an extraction process which simulates the aggressive environments experienced by many rubbers under practical conditions. The results obtained show that a small degree of modification ( 1 phr MADA) is large enough to provide good thermooxidative stability without alteration of the molecular characteristics of the parent rubbers. At higher degrees, cistrans isomerization can occur. 52 5

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