Curing and properties of chloroprene and butadiene rubber (CR/BR) blends cross-linked with copper(I) oxide or copper(II) oxide

Abstract

This paper discusses the curing and properties of chloroprene and butadiene rubber (CR/BR) blends cross-linked with copper(I) oxide (Cu₂O) or copper(II) oxide (CuO). The results revealed that the cross-linking degree of CR/BR blends decreased with the increasing amount of butadiene rubber (BR) in the blends. The mechanical properties of cured CR/BR blends depended on the proportion of elastomers in blends, as well as on the type and amount of the cross-linking agent (Cu₂O, CuO). The cross-linking of CR/BR/Cu₂O or CR/BR/CuO blends followed according to cationic mechanism, using Lewis acid, copper(I) chloride (CuCl) or copper(II) chloride (CuCl₂) generated in situ. Additionally, the prepared compositions, both unfilled and filled, were characterized by very high resistance to flame.

KEYWORDS:

• Elastomeric blend
• cross-linking
• copper oxides
• resistance to flame