Reversion Studies of Natural and Guayule Rubbers
Abstract
The main objective of this work was to compare the curing and reversion (loss of mechanical properties) characteristics of sulfur-cured guayule rubber with that of natural rubber. A series of formulated natural and guayule rubber compounds was studied by employing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mechanical spectroscopy to characterize the cure and reversion behavior. The reversion process was found to be dependent on the amount of trans-methine structure formed during and after vulcanization. The appearance of this molecular species coincided with the onset of mechanical reversion. Two variables affecting the cure and reversion process were studied: the amount of carbon black loading, and the temperature of cure. It has been observed that reversion and G'(max) are significantly affected by carbon black loading. An increase in carbon black loading showed a decrease in reversion and an increase in G'(max). As the cure temperature was increased, an increase in reversion was detected. In general, guayule rubber exhibited a slower rate of reversion than natural rubber; however, natural rubber exhibited a larger modulus than guayule rubber. Natural rubber, Infrared spectroscopy, Guayule rubber, Mechanical spectroscopy, Reversion, Elastomer curing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA257501
Entities
People
- James M. Sloan