VULCANIZATION OF 1-CHLOROBUTADIENE BUTADIENE RUBBER WITH DIEPOXY COMPOUND

Diepoxy vulcanization system of 1-chlorobutadiene-butadiene rubber (CB -BR) having hydroxyl groups with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEB A) was studied in the presence of acid anhydrides. Phthalic anhydride (PAn), hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HAn), maleic anhydride (MAn), and succinic anhydride (SAn) were investigated as cocuring agents. The res ults of this investigation indicated that the hydroxyl groups attached to the polybutadiene backbone react with DGEBA to afford a CB-BR vulc anizate. The vulcanization rate depended on the kinds of acid anhydrid es in the following order: PAn > MAn > SAn > HAn. It is assumed that t he reaction between the hydroxyl group in CB-BR and acid anhydride was the rate-determining step. The vulcanization of CB-BR with a higher a mount of DGEBA afforded resinous rubber vulcanizates. Thus, DGEBA was concluded to act not only as a curing agent, but also as a reinforcing agent for CB-BR. (C) 1995 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.