Computer simulation of changing the rubber network structure during vulcanization

An earlier elaborated model for vulcanization of unsaturated rubber compound was used in computer simulation to assist in the prediction of changes of sulfur crosslink concentrations. Polysulfidic and disulfidic crosslinks could be transformed into bridges with lower number of sulfur atoms. These individual multistage processes are described by equations of first order reactions. Using this model, it is found that the evaluation of sulfidic crosslink structure in different parts of thick rubber goods is possible. Only vulcameric curves recorded at different temperatures and curves of temperature changes in rubber elements during vulcanization are needed for such evaluations.