Adiabatic Reaction Kinetics of Buna-S Vulcanization
Abstract In a previous paper a technique for making kinetic measurements adiabatically instead of isothermally was discussed, and the possible advantages of this technique in reactions involving polymers was indicated. In the present communication, the theory is supported by an analysis of published data relating to the vulcanization of butadiene-styrene copolymer. There are considerable gaps in our knowledge of the overall chemical changes concerned in the vulcanization of various rubbers, quite apart from the kinetic interpretation of rate measurements and the postulation of elementary steps. Because of the difficulties involved, isothermal rate measurements have not yet given much insight into the kinetics or the chemistry of the time-honored sulfur vulcanization discovered over a hundred years ago. The difficulty of maintaining the temperature constant against the considerable heat of reaction is only one of the obstacles ; that of finding a convenient and accurate measure of the progress of vulcanization considered as a chemical reaction is perhaps even greater. The difficulties of the adiabatic technique are essentially different in nature.