EFFECT OF THE NETWORK STRUCTURE ON THE FLAMMABILITY OF CIS-1,4-POLYISOPRENE VULCANIZATES

The combustibilities of cis-1,4-polyisoprene and its peroxide and sulphur vulcanizates have been investigated by means of the oxygen index method. The temperature distribution in the sample and the molecular weight of the liquid products formed as a result of elastomer destruction in the combustion zone have been measured. It has been found that the combustibility of cis-1,4-polyisoprene diminishes as its cross-link density increases. This effect is much stronger for sulphur than for peroxide vulcanizates. The investigations lead to the conclusion that a mechanism of network degradation and volatile sulphur compounds penetrating to the flame are responsible for this difference.