Vibrational spectroscopy of elastomers

Jackson, Kevin David Oliphant (1993) Vibrational spectroscopy of elastomers. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

The application of NIR FT-Raman spectroscopy in the field of elastomers has been studied. The use of a near infra-red excitation source dramatically reduces the incidence of fluorescence, allowing commercially realistic samples to be examined.

A wide range of raw elastomers, including numerous grades of Malaysian natural rubber, has been examined. In the case of polybutadiene and its copolymers, isometric ratios have been measured. Quantification has been carried out for styrene and nitrile contents in styrene-butadiene and nitrile butadiene rubbers respectively.

Sulphur, in the two forms used in the elastomer industry, has been examined and transitions between these forms (insoluble, polymeric sulphur and soluble, rhombic sulphur) have been observed. The application of FT-Raman to the quantification of insoluble sulphur has been demonstrated along with a method for the determination of sulphur solubility in elastomers.

Polymer chain modifications resulting from vulcanization have been studied in natural rubber and polybutadiene with bands assigned to conjugated diene and triene structures. The relationship between the degree of modification and the vulcanizing system used has also been demonstrated. The study of vulcanization in ethylene propylene diene monomer rubbers has shown that crosslinks can be detected by the shift induced in the ϑc = c band position.

A study of the interactions between 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, sulphur and zinc oxide in several matrices under vulcanization conditions has provided information on the chemistry of vulcanization prior to the actual creation of sulphur crosslinks.

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