What are the steps required to achieve rubber vulcanization?

02/09/2023
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1. Plasticizing: in rubber processing, the first need for raw rubber plasticizing, in order to improve its plasticity and processing performance. Plasticizing, usually using mechanical methods, such as openers, refiners, etc., the raw rubber cutting, kneading, mixing, so that it has the appropriate plasticity of the rubber.
2. Mixing: the agent will be added to the plasticized rubber, and mixing. These agents include vulcanizing agent, accelerator, active agent, filler and so on. After mixing the rubber can be further processed, such as calendering, extrusion, etc..
3. Molding: According to the requirements of the product, the mixed rubber material will be processed into the required shape and size. Molding methods vary according to the type of products and applications, such as molding, injection molding, extrusion and so on.
4. Vulcanization: at a certain temperature and pressure, the molded rubber products into the vulcanizing equipment, heating and pressure for a certain period of time, the rubber molecular structure changes, the formation of a stable three-dimensional mesh structure, so as to obtain the required physical and mechanical properties and appearance characteristics.
In the vulcanization process, the crosslinking of the rubber molecular structure is realized by the chemical reaction induced by the vulcanizing agent or other radiation methods. The vulcanizing agent (e.g. sulfur yellow) decomposes into reactive sulfur atoms at high temperatures, and these reactive atoms react with the double bonds in the rubber molecule to form cross-linking bonds. At the same time, the accelerator and active agent in the compound can accelerate the vulcanization reaction, reduce the vulcanization temperature and shorten the vulcanization time.