RADIOISOTOPIC DETERMINATION METHODS OF SULFUR DISPERSION AND SULFUR BLOOMING IN RUBBER COMPOUNDS

Radioisotope methods have been analyzed to study the dispersion of sul fur in rubber compounds. The radioactivity of the S-35 isotope introdu ced into rubber compounds has been measured by volumetric and surface methods. These methods can be applied to investigate physical and chem ical processes in rubber and to optimize technical conditions of tire production. It was found that the radioisotopic methods can be used in the studies of sulfur blooming. Experimental data of the effect of mi xing and the storage temperatures of the rubber compound on theses pro cesses are presented. Rubber compounds containing soluble sulfur, inso luble Crystex sulfur, and T-accelerator were made for such investigati ons. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.