Effects of Sulfur on the Peroxide Cure of EPDM and Divinylbenzene Compounds
Abstract By introducing a small amount (0.15 part by weight) of sulfur into EPDM/DVB/DCPO compounds, Young's modulus and the rupture energy of the vulcanizates are markedly increased. The swelling equilibrium and dynamic mechanical behaviour show that an increase in crosslinking is achieved by the addition of sulfur. Moreover, electron microscopic study has revealed that vulcanizates from sulfur containing compounds have a better state of dispersion of the resinous poly-DVB phase than those without sulfur. When the amount of sulfur is too great (>0.20 part), Young's modulus of the vulcanizate is markedly reduced, mainly because of insufficient polymerization of DVB. Sulfur apparently acts as a retarder of DVB polymerization. Furthermore, it is proposed that some reaction products of peroxide and sulfur could be the initiator of this polymerization.