A study of the vulcanization process of neoprene and BNK co-polymer by radiation-chemical method

Technically and financially, the advantage of neoprene elastomer over other synthetic rubbers is explained by the high (up to 70%) content of the polar C-Cl group, as well as cis and trans isomers, which cause changes in many properties of composite materials. Currently, in many countries around the world, the processing of neoprene rubber is carried out with the participation of sulfur and sulfur-containing compounds. Based on the prepared elastomer mixture, it can be said that since the average molecular weight of the obtained elastomers is above 500,000, a crystallization process with high strength and hardness takes place, which negatively affects its plasto-elastic and rheological properties. In order to overcome this problem, neoprene rubber BNK (SKN-18) is first modified with the presence of selected active low molecular weight compounds by applying new technology in laboratory conditions, using radiation-chemical technological methods. A new chemical structure (C-C) is formed in the macromolecule of the polymer as a result of the vulcanization process with the participation of a building agent and a sensitizer. This, in turn, causes a change in the properties of the obtained elastomer material. The main goal of the research work is to obtain an elastomeric material with high technical indicators by applying the radiation-chemical technological process. For this, the following scientific and technical experiments were carried out: By modifying Neoprene and BNK rubbers in different proportions, changing the amount of cis-trans isomer in Neoprene rubber and by increasing the unsaturation in the polymer chain, changing the sol-gel properties as a result of the effect of two polar groups (C-C, C-Cl) in the polymer chain due to the newly formed double bonds; Based on the prepared mixtures, building systems with the presence of a new active building agent, maleic acid diallyl ether (MTDAE), as a sensitizer, diaminophenylsimim triazine (DAFST) as a plasticizer, epoxy resin (ED-5), activator zinc oxide, and technical carbon, radiation of each of the selected components, to determine the process of destruction and construction of a macromolecule in a chemical process; To study the chemical transformations that occur in the macromolecules of the polymer composite systems as a result of the effects of both gamma rays and thermo radiation. As a result of the change in plasto-elastic and rheological properties under the influence of 500 kGy gamma rays, it was possible to lower the molecular weight of the polymer. This change made it possible to maintain the average molecular mass and the hardness and flexibility of the material. A capillary viscometer was used to determine the rheological properties of the composites obtained by all three technological methods (temperature, gamma, and thermo radiation). Research studies have shown that more effective changes occur in the polymer chain due to the effect of thermo radiation. In the IR-Fourier spectrometric analysis, an ionic molecular reaction can be assumed based on the change of intensity lines with intensities of 700, 970, 1240, and 2230 cm as a result of thermo radiolysis in the presence of Neoprene BNK and low molecular weight components.