Thiokol solid rubbers

TTiokol A [14807-96-6] TTiokol FA [68611-48-3] Thiokol solid rubbers TTiokol ST [9065-29-6] Thiol... 

Some of the early Thiokol solid rubbers are still made and used in printing rolls, solvent-resistant spray hose, gaskets, and gas-meter diaphragms. Many of the polysulfide products have been in use since the 1940s with an excellent track record. Continuing improvements in technology keep these products competitive. 

Prepare a saturated solution of sodium sulphide, preferably from the fused technical sodium polysulphide, and saturate it with sulphiu the sulphiu content should approximate to that of sodium tetrasulphide. To 50 ml. of the saturate sodium tetrasulphide solution contained in a 500 ml. round-bottomed flask provided with a reflux condenser, add 12-5 ml. of ethylene dichloride, followed by 1 g. of magnesium oxide to act as catalyst. Heat the mixture until the ethylene dichloride commences to reflux and remove the flame. An exothermic reaction sets in and small particles of Thiokol are formed at the interface between the tetrasulphide solution and the ethylene chloride these float to the surface, agglomerate, and then sink to the bottom of the flask. Decant the liquid, and wash the solid several times with water. Remove the Thiokol with forceps or tongs and test its rubber-like properties (stretching, etc.). 

Rubber Articles. The solid polysulfide mbber products, Thiokol FA and Thiokol ST, are used in the manufacture of printing rollers, printing blankets, gas meter diaphragms, O-rings, and specialty molded items. 

Early in the development of solid propellant, the asphalt composites were found to have poor physical properties, such as cracking under normal temperature cycling, poor tensile characteristics, etc. They were replaced with the elastomeric polymers which have become the present-day binders. The first of these was Thiokol rubber, a polysulfide rubber, whichgives the propellant with good physical properties. The presence of the sulfur atom in the Thiokol rubber decreases the performance compared to a CHO polymer thus the most frequently used binders are polyurethane, polybutadiene acrylic acid (PBAA), epoxy resin, etc. The choice of the latter binders is made with regard to physical properties rather than performance. 

Doc" Patrick retired and moved to Florida in 1948. However, he returned to Pennsylvania later and entered a new career as a builder and investor. In spite of his brilliant research and his being "the father of American synthetic rubber", "Doc" Patrick received little recognition during his active years with Thiokol, Corp. However, the use of Thiokol LP-3 as a binder for solid ftiel rocket propellants after World War II drew considerable attention to this modest scientist-inventor. 

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