Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.56, No.8, 967-977, 1995
Modeling the Vulcanization of Rubbers in an Oscillating Bicone Cell
This work studies the evolution of dynamic rheometric functions (dynamic viscosity eta’(omega) and storage modulus G’(omega)) with the degree of vulcanization and temperature of well-characterized SBR and NBR compounds. Experiments are carried out in an oscillating bicone cell, and results are well fitted through a model that considers flow kinematics, heat transfer, curing kinetics, and rheological functions. It is possible to quantify the model parameters and to understand better the evolution of filled rubber compounds toward crosslinked networks or vulcanizates. Conclusions are also obtained on the interplay between theological functions and molecular parameters (average molecular weight and polydispersity). Experimental evaluations of the ratios between oscillating torques, at different times of the curing process, correlate directly with changes in theological properties of the samples studied.