A STUDY IN VULCANIZATION OF NEOPRENE RUBBER (WRT) BY POLYMETHYLOL RESIN (RESOL)

The vulcanization of neoprene (WRT) with different loading of polymethylol resin (Resol) was investigated to understand the role of resol as curing agent. The cure rate fasted when resol was added to the rubber compound, and the change in the mechanical properties were significant. An improvement in mechanical properties were seen with 7.5 phr loading of resol, while an adverse effect observed only with a high loading at 10 phr and in absence of magnesia and zinc oxide from rubber compound. Rubber compounds containing different loading of resol show slight decrease in tensile strength, elongation, and tear strength values after 5 days at 80 C , while high increase in hardness and modulus at the same conditions.