AbstractThe technical properties and the network structure of carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) having a mixed crosslink system of sulfur and metal carboxylate have been studied. XNBR of different carboxyl contents (Krynac 221, Krynac 110C), yielding different concentrations of ionic crosslinks, have been used for this purpose. The amount of ionic crosslinks was also varied by varying the amount of crosslinking agent (zinc peroxide). It has been observed that ionic crosslinks impart high tensile strength, permanent set, and hardness, while sulfur crosslinks introduce high flex crack resistance, elongation at break, and tear strength in the vulcanizate. Heat buildup and resilience could be explained with the help of stress relaxation experiments. Stress decay is more when the amount of ionic crosslinks is higher. Higher stress relaxation gives higher hysteresis. The kinetics of the crosslinking of a mixed crosslink system has also been studied. At overcure times the amount of ionic crosslinks is greater than that of sulfur crosslinks which desulfurizes in this region. The technical properties could be explained on this basis.
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