Search

The rheological behavior and crosslinking kinetics of model filled rubber compounds during curing were investigated. The effect of chemical composition of monodisperse size particles, prepared by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization, on dynamic moduli and gelation time of the filled compounds was studied. All filled systems showed much shorter gelation times than the pure matrix in the order PSVP < PS < PMMA [much lesser than] Pure Matrix. The dynamic moduli during curing increased with increasing interactions between particles and matrix. Physical crosslinking, due to either particle clustering or a network of filler particles with an adsorbed polymer layer, made a significant contribution to the overall crosslink density and the gelation of rubber compounds. As a result, the dynamic mechanical properties and curing kinetics of the rubber compounds varied with the chemical nature of the filler particles., INTRODUCTION Commercial rubber is usually a filled system. Curing of rubber compounds can be accomplished by polymerization, vulcanization or crosslinking, leading to the formation of a three-dimensional network. In order [...]

The effect of particle size on curing kinetics and dynamic properties was examined with model filled rubber compounds containing monodisperse size crosslinked polystyrene [PS] particles synthesized from emulsffier-free emulsion polymerization. [...]