Non-rubber components tuning mechanical properties of natural rubber from vulcanization kinetics

Natural rubber (NR) with complex components has superior mechanical properties to synthetic high cis-1, 4-polyisoprene. It is still a challenge to explore the reason why NR owns superior mechanical properties. In previous studies, the excellent properties of NR have been ascribed to strain-induced c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymer (Guilford) 2019-11, Vol.183, p.121911, Article 121911
Main Authors: Wei, Yan-Chan, Liu, Gui-Xiang, Zhang, Hui-Feng, Zhao, Fuchun, Luo, Ming-Chao, Liao, Shuangquan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acceleration
Crosslinking
Crystallization
Kinetics
Mechanical properties
Mimicry
Natural rubber
Non-rubber components
Rubber
Vulcanization
Vulcanization kinetics
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Summary:Natural rubber (NR) with complex components has superior mechanical properties to synthetic high cis-1, 4-polyisoprene. It is still a challenge to explore the reason why NR owns superior mechanical properties. In previous studies, the excellent properties of NR have been ascribed to strain-induced crystallization phenomenon. However, in this study we find non-rubber components (NRC) in NR affecting vulcanization process, which finally contributes to excellent properties of NR. Through the changes of NRC content, the mechanical properties of NR can be tuned. The differential scanning calorimeter is used to investigate vulcanization kinetics. The results show that NRC decrease the activation energy of vulcanization process, which causes higher crosslinking density and curing rate. Through additional protein verifying and mimicking the acceleration effect of NRC, mechanical properties of NR can be tuned from soft state to tough state. Therefore, NRC affecting vulcanization kinetics is another essential reason why NR owns superior mechanical properties. This work also provides more insightful understanding toward the structure-property relationship of NR. Schematic diagram of non-rubber components accelerating vulcanization process. [Display omitted] •Natural rubber with complex components has superior mechanical properties to synthetic high cis-1, 4-polyisoprene.•Non-rubber components accelerate vulcanization process, which further tunes mechanical properties of natural rubber.•Additional protein can verify and mimic the accelerating effect of non-rubber components.
ISSN:0032-3861
1873-2291
DOI:10.1016/j.polymer.2019.121911