Investigation on strategies for optimizing process definition in rubber processing: A study on mechanical and chemical properties of vulcanizates as basis for the development of a new calculation model for quality prediction

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 141; no. 6
• Main Authors: Traintinger, Martin, Kerschbaumer, Roman C., Hornbachner, Michaela, Lechner, Bernhard, Lucyshyn, Thomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 10.02.2024; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Chemical properties; compression molding; crosslink density; degree of cure; Maintenance; mechanical characterization; Mechanical properties; Process parameters; Quality assurance; Reaction kinetics; Rubber; simulation; swelling; Temperature dependence; Vulcanization
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.54901

Rubber compounds may exhibit significant batch variations due to multiple different ingredients mixed in one compound. Hence, defining the manufacturing process for constant part quality can be challenging. Common strategies in considering batch variations in rubber processing include the determination of reaction kinetics, and the definition of process parameters according to normalized vulcanization isotherms. Thereby, maintenance of the degree of cure is targeted. With this path, information on the mechanical properties of vulcanizates is lost, despite its visibility from the kinetic data and part quality assurance is missed. This contribution points out the differences obtained for parts produced to the same degree of cure at various temperatures and intends to emphasize new strategies in process definitions. Therefore, compression molded parts were produced from styrene‐butadien rubber, which was then characterized with mechanical and chemical methods. Each of the methods revealed a significant difference in part behavior, which were manufactured to the same degrees of cure but at different temperatures. It was concluded that a temperature‐dependent reaction rate should be considered when quality maintenance is targeted in the production. Only then will it be possible to predict the properties adequately, with simultaneous effect of enhancing sustainability policies in rubber processing. Strategies for optimizing process definition in rubber processing: A study on mechanical and chemical properties of vulcanizates as basis for the development of a new calculation model for quality prediction.