The effect of sulfur ratio to 2-2'-dithiobenzothiazole accelerator on viscoelastic, vibration damping, and thermal stability properties of gum natural rubber vulcanizates

Abstract

It is well-recognized that the sulfur to accelerator (S/A) ratio greatly influences the nature of rubber vulcanizates. Viscoelasticity, vibration damping, and thermal stability are important properties of rubber vulcanizates used in vibration isolators. This study aimed to assess the effects of sulfur to 2-2’-dithiobenzothiazole (MBTS) accelerator ratio on viscoelastic, vibration damping, and thermal stability of gum natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates. The viscoelastic and vibration damping properties were determined by using a rubber process analyzer (RPA), while the thermal stability was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that the gum NR vulcanizates prepared with a sulphur to MBTS accelerator ratio at 1.11 had the best viscoelastic and vibration damping properties for use as a rubber isolator. However, regarding thermal stability, the gum NR vulcanizates prepared with sulfur to MBTS accelerator ratio at 2.15 were superior to the others.

Keywords

• rubber
• sulfur
• viscoelastic
• vibration damping
• thermal stability