Who discovered the phenomenon of rubber vulcanization, and what is it?

Who discovered the phenomenon of rubber vulcanization, and what is it?
Who discovered the phenomenon of rubber vulcanization, and what is it?

Video: Who discovered the phenomenon of rubber vulcanization, and what is it?

Video: Who discovered the phenomenon of rubber vulcanization, and what is it?
Video: Авторынок в Воронеже. Car "Northern" in Voronezh.Der Automobilmarkt in Voronezh 2024, November
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Who discovered the phenomenon of rubber vulcanization, not everyone knows. Although the name of this person is often mentioned in advertising messages. His name was Charles Nelson Goodyear, and today tires of a well-known brand carry his name. Without his participation, "Indian rubber" (rubber), perhaps, would never have been widely used, because it was just a curiosity, once brought from America. Over the years, Charles conducted numerous experiments mixing rubber with various components (from turpentine to toxic zinc oxide), until in 1839 he discovered the composition of this substance with sulfur.

rubber vulcanization
rubber vulcanization

What is the rubber vulcanization process? From the point of view of chemistry, this is a connection of flexible rubber molecules into a three-dimensional grid of a spatial form, while cross-linked chemical bonds are quite rare. The latter property allows the rubber to remain as highly elastic as natural rubber.which it is made.

When vulcanizing rubber, mesh can be obtained by exposure to high temperature or radiation, as well as by the use of a special chemical agent. As a rule, special units are used for the operation, such as boilers, injection molding machines, presses, autoclaves, vulcanizing formers and heat carriers (from hot steam to electric heating).

raw rubber vulcanization temperature
raw rubber vulcanization temperature

Cure temperature of raw rubber can vary quite a bit depending on how the end product is used. The classic range is 130 to 200 degrees Celsius, although rubber coatings and sealants are sometimes cured at room temperature (at 20 degrees, "cold cure"). Substances-agents for this process are quite diverse. Most often, sulfur vulcanization is carried out, which makes it possible to obtain diene rubbers used in the manufacture of tires and rubber shoes. In addition, the so-called "accelerators" (for the latter type of process) play an important role, these are mainly sulfonamides and substituted thisols.

The hot vulcanization of rubber can be carried out in a very short period of time if accelerators are involved in the chemical process: dithiocarbamates or xanthates. In this case, the operation takes place quickly at a temperature of about 110-125 degrees. Lower temperatures (between 20 and 100 degrees) can be used to cure some adhesives and latex compounds using sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate.

hotrubber vulcanization
hotrubber vulcanization

Additional substances used in rubber vulcanization (oligoetheracrylates, peroxides, phenol-formaldehyde resins, etc.) make it possible to obtain products with high heat resistance, solidity, and improved dielectric properties. Also, an important role in the formation of a particular product (from soles for boots to jewelry) is played by antioxidants (increasing the service life of rubber) and plasticizers, which make it possible to reduce the viscosity of the substance during processing and the rate of “erasing”.

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