Rheological characterization and modelling of the rubber to metal vulcanization-bonding process

Rubber-to-metal bonded assemblies are found in a growing number of industrial applications, particularly for the reduction of vibration, for example in the automotive industry. The so-called "vulcanization bonding process" consists of molding the rubber onto a metallic surface, previously coated with a reactive adhesive system. The vulcanization of the rubber and the curing of the adhesive then take place simultaneously during the molding cure cycle. These reactions are coupled with multiple diffusion phenomena at the interfaces between the different layers. The aim of the present work is to propose an experimental approach for the understanding and modelling of these mechanisms. The metal/adhesive/rubber reactive interface is reproduced in a rotational rheometer allowing a rheokinetic characterization of the different reactions and diffusion-reaction phenomena occurring during the process. (c) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.