What is the role of zinc oxide in rubber formulations?

First, activate the entire curing system

Zinc oxide and stearic acid together form zinc soap, improve the solubility of zinc oxide in the compound, and with the accelerator to form a complex, this complex is particularly lively, it reacts with sulfur to produce a very strong vulcanizing agent.

Second, improve the cross-linking density

Zinc oxide and stearic acid to form Zn2 + + salt, which is chelated with the sulfur-containing rubber accelerator side-chaining group, so that the weak bond in a stable state, change the cracking position of sulfur bonds, so that rubber vulcanization to produce shorter cross-linking , Add new cross-linking keys to increase the cross-linking density.

Third, improve the anti-aging properties of vulcanized rubber

In the process of vulcanization and use, the polysulfide bond breaks, the resulting H2S will accelerate the rubber cracking, zinc oxide reacts with it to form new crosslinking bonds, stabilize the vulcanization network, and improve the aging resistance. Rubber technology consulting network for the majority of rubber industry friends to provide rubber technology, natural rubber, rubber price information, rubber training and learning, rubber materials exchange learning exchange platform. We strive to build a rubber company’s favorite rubber technology information exchange platform.

In short, the main role of zinc oxide, 1) in the formula from the role of activator or accelerator, 2) as a sour agent, in the rubber vulcanization is to absorb some of the vulcanization of the production of acidic substances, such as HCl and so on. 3) can improve the thermal properties of the compound.