An investigation on the effect of clusters in thermo-reversible cross-linked rubbers

Hagting, E. (2015) An investigation on the effect of clusters in thermo-reversible cross-linked rubbers. Master's Thesis / Essay, Chemistry.

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Abstract

A proof of principle for the use of Diels-Alder chemistry as a thermo-reversible cross-linking tool for ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber (EVM) is demonstrated for a modified EVM and newly synthesized copolymer. Similar to previous work on maleated ethylene-propylene (EPM), commercial EVM rubber grafted with maleic anhydride was modified with furfurylamine and cross-linked with bismaleimide via a Diels-Alder coupling reaction. Use of a functional EVM terpolymer proved beneficial for the reversibility of the cross-linked material over maleic anhydride grafting functionalization. Reversibility of both rubber networks and their reworkability were proven with solubility tests and in a practical way by cutting and remolding rubber material into new coherent samples (impossible for conventionally cross-linked EVM rubbers), and on the basis of their mechanical properties. Rubber compounding was performed, resulting in superior physical properties of the resulting products compared to those of virgin Diels-Alder cross-linked EVM and conventionally cross-linked EVM rubber. Comparison of the latter with an analogous EPM system showed presence of polar clusters of high cross-link density is impeded in the EVM system due to its polar character. The resulting homogeneous cross-link distribution provides improved stability in mechanical behavior. It is thought the identified effect of polarity is an important discovery towards commercial recyclable rubbers.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Thesis / Essay)
Degree programme:	Chemistry
Thesis type:	Master's Thesis / Essay
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2018 08:10
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2018 08:10
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/13628

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