EFFECT OF TRANS-POLYOCTENAMER ON THERMAL-STABILITY OF RUBBERS DETERMINED BY THERMAL-ANALYSIS

An effect of a cyclic low molecular-weight polymer trans-polyoctenamer rubber (TOR) on the thermal stability of diene rubbers and their vulc anizates was investigated. The investigation was carried out in the ai r and nitrogen atmospheres using thermogravimetry, DSC and simultaneou s thermoanalytical methods. The thermal stability indexes: T-5, T-max and activation energy of degradation (AE), as well as T-g and T-m valu es, have been determined. It was found that trans-polyoctenamer (TOR) increases of the thermal stability indices of raw diene rubbers and th eir vulcanizates. The results show that the thermal degradation of die ne rubbers occurred at higher temperature if they were blended with TO R. In our opinion, intermolecular structures formed between the cyclic low-molecular weight polymer and some linear rubber molecules may be the reason for the higher thermal stability of these rubber blends.