Oscillating disc cure meter

ASTM D2084, 2001. Vulcanisation using oscillating disc cure meter. 

BS903 Pad A60-2, 1992. Method for the determination of vulcanisation characteristics using an oscillating disc cure meter. 

Laboratory measur ent of curing characteristics have been somewhat revolutionized by the introduction of the cure meters. There were two types of cure meter the reciprocating paddle type as in the Wallace-Shawbury curometer, and the oscillating disc type such as the Monsanto rheometer. In the oscillating disc type (ODR) a biconical disc is embedded in the rubber in a closed cavity. The disc is oscillating through constant angular displacement, and the torque required monitored. 

Both the rate of vulcanization after the scorch period and the final extent of vulcanization are now measured by using devices called cure meters. Many researchers have contributed to this development (Decker et al., 1963 Juve et al., 1964). Widely used cure meters are oscillating disc rheometers of the type introduced by the Monsanto Company around 1965. The development of the oscillating disc rheometer, largely through the efforts of Wise, was the beginning of modern vulcometry, which has become standard practice in the industry. Before the development of the cure meter, it was necessary to measure... 

Newer versions of the cure meter have been introduced (e.g.. Figure 7.6). The cavity is much smaller and there is no rotor. In this type of cure meter, one-half of the die (e.g., the upper half) is stationary and the other half oscillates. These instruments are called moving-die rheometers. The sample is much smaller and heat transfer is faster. Also, because there is no rotor, the temperature of the cavity and sample can be changed more rapidly. In either case (oscillating disc or moving die), torque is automatically plotted against time. Such a chart is shown in Figure 7.7. 

Both the rate of vulcanization after the scorch period and the final extent of vulcanization are measured by devices called cure meters. The development of the oscillating disc rheometer was the beginning of modem vulcometry, which is the standard industrial practice. 

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