The influence of moulding temperature on the strength of natural rubber tometal bonded joints

The influence of moulding temperature on the peel strength of a bonded join t was investigated for a sulphur cured semi-EV natural rubber vulcanisate. A higher peel force was recorded at the higher moulding temperature. The ef fect of vulcanisation temperature on peel strength was thought to arise fro m a change in the physical properties of the rubber and modifications of th e rubber near the bonded interface as a result of active species migration during vulcanisation. A series of parallel investigations were conducted to find supporting evidence for these findings. From these studies it was con cluded that it is a combination of changes in the mechanical properties of the natural rubber vulcanisate and any changes induced by the migration mec hanisms that determines the final strength of the bonded assembly.