Studies on the effects of cyclohexyl benzthiazylsulfenamide accelerated sulfur vulcanization of natural rubber : Thermochemistry and oxidative aging

Department of Polymer Science and Technology, Calcutta University, Kolkata-700 009, India E-mail: bidyutbarank@yahoo.com Fax: 91-33-23519755 Manuscript received 1 September 2004, accepted 12 April 2005 Typical cyclohexyl benzthiazylsulfenamide (CBS) and binary accelerated sulfur-cured natural rubber (NR) were prepared and subjected to aging at 100º in an air oven. Single accelerator gum specimen vulcanizates exhibited an initial stiffness behavior, while blend accelerator systems were found to soften. Tensile strength and strain-to-break values of all the vulcanizates were significantly reduced. Fractional strain-energy, TE(f), with aging time relationship suggested the heat stability criteria of the vulcanizates