Comparison of Two Oscillating Bicone Cells for Vulcanization of Rubber Compounds

Abstract

This work presents the comparison of two oscillating bicone cells for the vulcanization of rubber compounds. A model is used to simulate the torque evolutions of a commercial NBR sample during the crosslinking process. In relation to cell geometries, the ratio between heat transfer area and sample volume affects the thermal history to which the sample is subjected. The temperature evolution has a strong effect on the vulcanization kinetics and the storage modulus, over time. The Theological characterization of materials through extensive properties, like torques, is not suitable to obtain conclusions that are intrinsic to the sample. Therefore, the use of a thermo-rheological and kinetic model to express the measured extensive properties into intensive ones is a primary necessity, mainly when one needs to compare samples tested with different curemeters. The model provides the interplay between rheological functions and the characteristic parameters of the rubber compound.