“Re-Think” Sulfur Curing

Abstract

Since Charles Goodyear discovered the method of sulfur curing Natural Rubber in 1839, many studies have been carried out to understand its mechanism. Currently, the broadly accepted mechanism includes an activated accelerator complex formed by Zinc oxide, stearic acid, accelerators and sulfur. Furthermore, it is also broadly accepted that the coupling of the sulfur to the polymer takes place in the allylic position to the double bond. Modern passenger car tire treads no longer contain Natural Rubber but instead a blend of Solution Styrene Butadiene Rubber and Butadiene Rubber, filled with a silica/silane system. Is it possible to transfer all the gained knowledge from the Natural Rubber crosslink reaction to such modern passenger car tire tread formulations, or is it required to “re-think” sulfur curing?

Keywords

• sulfur curing
• SSBR
• vinyl content
• accelerator
• Zinc oxide
• stearic acid