Study on the Effect of Zinc on the Rheological, Mechanical and Thermal Properties and Fire Hazard of Unfilled and Filled CR/BR Vulcanizates

Abstract

This paper discusses the cross-linking and functional properties of elastomer composites containing chloroprene rubber (CR) and butadiene rubber (BR) cured in the presence of zinc (Zn) and reinforced with mineral fillers. The research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of zinc as a new cross-linking substance with the simultaneous production of elastomer materials with good mechanical properties and a reduced fire hazard. The article concerns the study and explanation of the dependencies influencing the processing and functional properties of unfilled or filled elastomer blends containing different elastomers ratio or different zinc’s amount. The following fillers were used: silica, kaolin, chalk and montmorillonite. The results revealed that the cross-linking degree of CR/BR blends decreased with the increasing amount of butadiene rubber in the blends. The mechanical properties of the cured blends depended on the proportion of elastomers in the composites, the zinc amount, and the presence and type of filler. The flammability of CR/BR/Zn vulcanizates has been investigated before and after the filling. The parameters assessed by the oxygen index method and cone calorimetry, characterizing the behavior of the tested CR/BR/Zn vulcanizates under fire conditions, have shown that they constitute a low fire hazard and can be considered as non-flammable materials.

The Use of Copper Oxides as Cross-Linking Substances for Chloroprene Rubber and Study of the Vulcanizates Properties. Part I

“…In elastomer technology, metal oxides are used to cross-link materials containing atoms belonging to the halogen group in their main chains. This rubber group includes chloroprene rubber [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ], chlorosulfonated polyethylene [ 9 ] and halogenobutyl rubbers: chlorobutyl [ 10 , 11 , 12 ] and bromobutyl [ 12 , 13 ]. For cross-linking of these materials, a mixture of two oxides is used: zinc oxide [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ] and magnesium oxide [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 11 , 13 , 14 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

“…This rubber group includes chloroprene rubber [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ], chlorosulfonated polyethylene [ 9 ] and halogenobutyl rubbers: chlorobutyl [ 10 , 11 , 12 ] and bromobutyl [ 12 , 13 ]. For cross-linking of these materials, a mixture of two oxides is used: zinc oxide [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ] and magnesium oxide [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 11 , 13 , 14 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Zinc oxide is a compound in the form of white hexagonal crystals.…”

Toward partially bio‐based thermoplastic vulcanizates based on poly (lactic acid) and chloroprene rubber

“…The crosslinking reaction continues until all of the reactive intermediates are consumed or until the crosslinking density reaches a certain level 39,40 . Overall, the crosslinking reaction between the CR phase and ZnO creates a three‐dimensional network of polymer chains that improves the mechanical properties of the material 41,42 . The interfacial adhesion between the CR and other components in the TPV is also improved by the chemical crosslinking process, leading to better stress transfer and further enhancing the mechanical properties of the material.…”

Characterization of Natural Rubber, Styrene Butadiene Rubber, and Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Monomer Blend Composites Loaded with Zinc Stearate to Be Used in the Solid Tire Industry

“…If the torque delta increases, the cross-links formed also increase. According to Smejda-Krzewicka et al [24], the greater the torque increase, the more the cross-links density increases. Torsion delta is often used as a reference to determine crosslink density [25].…”

“…This happened because ZS can accelerate and complement each other during the vulcanization process [28,29]. According to Smejda-Krzewicka et al [24], the vulcanization rate is affected by the ratio of ZnS added. The use of ZS from the results of this study increased the rate of vulcanization.…”