Zinc Chelates as Activators for Sulphur Vulcanization of Natural Rubber

Abstract: Rubber articles are usually vulcanized using conventional accelerators like zinc oxide and tetra methyl thiuram disulphide. These materials are carcinogenic and zinc oxide is found to be dangerous for the environment also. In search of finding out a new non toxic material for activator in rubber vulcanization we have synthesized four new zinc complexes using different azodyes and Schiff base and analysed the vulcanization of rubber using these zinc chelates instead of conventional activators. The curing and characterization of the mixes were done using rheometer and the results indicates the cure characteristics depend on the availability of the Zn 2+ ions from the chelates. The mechanical properties of the vulcanizates before and after ageing were also determined. The results of the study indicate that by making better structural changes the chelates can be used as activators.