Abstract

A quantitative method of measuring crosslink density by using a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) is described here in this study. This method is based on the measurement of storage modulus on cured vulcanizate samples through a simple temperature sweep. The Molecular weight between crosslinks and the crosslink density obtained by DMA was further compared with the solvent method using the Flory-Rehner approach. The selected rubber matrix was Natural Rubber (NR) and the study was carried out by the conventional vulcanization system. The cure time varied proportionately below and above the tC90 obtained through rheometric study at wide intervals.

Keywords:Modulus; Vulcanizate; Temperature; Molecular weight; Natural rubber

Abbreviations:DMA: Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer; NR: Natural Rubber; CV: Conventional Vulcanization