Cross-linking agent sulfuric acid

Amine Cross-Linking. Two commercially important, high performance elastomers which are not normally sulfur-cured are the fluoroelastomers (FKM) and the polyacrylates (ACM). Polyacrylates typically contain a small percent of a reactive monomer designed to react with amine curatives such as hexamethylene-diamine carbamate (Diak 1). Because the type and level of reactive monomer varies with ACM type, it is important to match the curative type to the particular ACM ia questioa. Sulfur and sulfur-beating materials can be used as cure retarders they also serve as age resistors (22). Fluoroelastomer cure systems typically utilize amines as the primary cross-linking agent and metal oxides as acid acceptors. 

Almost all of the sulfur needed for healthy bodies is found in amino acids as cysteine and methionine. Sulfur serves several important roles including as a cross-linking agent similar to that served by sulfur in the cross-linking, or vulcanization, of rubber. This cross-linking allows the various chains, which are connected by these cross-links, to remember where they are relative to one another. This cross-linking allows natural macromolecules to retain critical shapes to perform necessary roles. 

Typically, the oil phase contained 78% monomer/co-monomer, 8% divinyl benzene (cross-linking agent), and 14% non-ionic surfactant Span 80 (Sorbitan monooleate), while the aqueous phase contained 1% potassium persulfate as the initiator. In most cases studied here, monomer is styrene and when elasticity of the polymer is required, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2EHA) was used (styrene/2EHA ratio is 1 4). Whenever additives/fillers are placed in the aqueous phase their amounts are stated as weight percent while the phase volume of the aqueous phase remains constant. In some cases, the aqueous phase contains 0.5% hydroxyapatite and 15% phosphoric acid which is used to dissolve the hydroxyapatite, or alternatively, the aqueous phase may contain varying amounts of water-soluble polymer, such as polyethylene glycol or polyethylene oxide. If the styrene-based PHP is to be sulfonated to obtain ionic-hydrophilic foam, the pre-dispersion of sulfuric acid within the pores is useful, if not essential, and in that case, acids (typically 10%) can be used as the internal phaseP . ... 

---