Vulcanisation accelerators, analysis

It is of interest to examine the development of the analytical toolbox for rubber deformulation over the last two decades and the role of emerging technologies (Table 2.9). Bayer technology (1981) for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of rubbers and elastomers consisted of a multitechnique approach comprising extraction (Soxhlet, DIN 53 553), wet chemistry (colour reactions, photometry), electrochemistry (polarography, conductometry), various forms of chromatography (PC, GC, off-line PyGC, TLC), spectroscopy (UV, IR, off-line PylR), and microscopy (OM, SEM, TEM, fluorescence) [10]. Reported applications concerned the identification of plasticisers, fatty acids, stabilisers, antioxidants, vulcanisation accelerators, free/total/bound sulfur, minerals and CB. Monsanto (1983) used direct-probe MS for in situ quantitative analysis of additives and rubber and made use of 31P NMR [69]. 

Much of this work does not represent current practice particularly with regard to the stationary phases. The analysis of AOs and vulcanisation accelerators in rubber materials by GC, HPLC and TLC was reviewed... 

For the purpose of polymer/additive analysis most applications refer to vulcanisate analysis. Weber [370] has determined various vulcanisation accelerators (Vulkazit Thiuram/Pextra N/Merkapto/AZ/DM) in rubbers using PC. Similarly, Zijp [371] has described application of PC for identification of various vulcanisation accelerator classes (guanidines, dithiocarbaminates, thiuramsulfides, mercapto-substituted heterocyclic compounds, thioureas, etc.). The same author has also... 

Phenolic antioxidants in rubber extracts were determined indirectly photometrically after reaction with Fe(III) salts which form a red Fe(II)-dipyridyl compound. The method was applicable to Vulkanox BKF and Vulkanox KB [52]. Similarly, aromatic amines (Vulkanox PBN, 4020, DDA, 4010 NA) were determined photometrically after coupling with Echtrotsalz GG (4-nitrobenzdiazonium fluoroborate). For qualitative analysis of vulcanisation accelerators in extracts of rubbers and elastomers colour reactions with dithio-carbamates (for Vulkacit P, ZP, L, LDA, LDB, WL), thiuram derivatives (for Vulkacit I), zinc 2-mercaptobenzthiazol (for Vulkacit ZM, DM, F, AZ, CZ, MOZ, DZ) and hexamethylene tetramine (for Vulkacit H30), were mentioned as well as PC and TLC analyses (according to DIN 53622) followed by IR identification [52]. 8-Hydroquinoline extraction of interference ions and alizarin-La3+ complexation were utilised for the spectrophotometric determination of fluorine in silica used as an antistatic agent in PE [74], Also Polygard (trisnonylphenylphosphite) in styrene-butadienes has been determined by colorimetric methods [75,76], Most procedures are fairly dated for more detailed descriptions see references [25,42,44],... 

Ostromow [328] has described the use of conductometry for the analysis of extracts from elastomers and rubbers, such as the determination of various vulcanisation accelerations dithiocarbamates, thiurams (tetramethylthiuramdisulfide, tetramethylthiurammono-sulfide), 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, diphenylguanidine... 

Kodama and co-workers [58] have reported TG-DSC curves for the analysis of the interaction between vulcanisation accelerators (tetramethylthiuram disulphide, dibenzothiazolyl disulphide, diphenylguanidine and N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolyl-sulphenamide) and fillers (carbon black, white carbon, hard clay and CaC03). The initial melting point (MP) of the accelerators was largely influenced by the fillers. The higher the surface activity of the filler is, the lower and wider the melting range becomes. 

Whereas Redfern [57] has pointed out the advantages of simultaneous thermal analysis techniques (particularly TG-DSC and TG-DTA) over techniques conducted singly, an even more complete thermal profile is provided when a thermal analyser is coupled to some form of gas analyser (MS or FTIR). Mohler and co-workers [51] have reported TG-DSC-MS of the thermal decomposition of the vulcanisation accelerator tetramethyl thiuram disulphide (TMTD) in rubber degradation of TMTD starts at about 155 °C, as evidenced by m/z 76 (CS2) and 44 (radical of the secondary dimethylamine). 

These are easily prepared by the reaction of amines with carbon disulfide (1) in the presence of alkali (Scheme 17).2 The synthesis of dithiocarba mates (4) was first reported by Debus in 1850. Dithiocarba mates (4) form metal chelates, and sodium dimethyl dithiocarbamate is used in quantitative inorganic analysis for the estimation of metals, e.g. copper and zinc. Dithiocarba mates are also employed as vulcanisation accelerators and antioxidants in the rubber industry, and as agricultural fungicides.3 The parent dithiocarbamic acids are unstable, decomposing to thiocyanic acid and hydrogen sulfide however, the salts and esters are stable compounds. Dithiocarba mates (4) are oxidised by mild oxidants to the thiuram disulfides (38) (Scheme 17). 

Gorman [971] has described thermal desorption of volatile additives from rubber. The quantitative analysis of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (TMQ) in natural rubber by means of TD-GC-MS has been reported [1018a]. Off-line TD-GC-MS at 180°C of a 75/25 SBR/BR vulcanisate showed t-butylamine, CS2 and benzothiazole, indicative of the vulcanisation accelerator Vulkacit NZ (TBBS) [1019]. Analysis of seals for hydrocarbons and silicon-containing components by means of direct thermal desorption outperforms previous methods based on cyclohexane extraction and headspace techniques [1020]. 

Barnes and co-workers [7] developed an LC-S method for the analysis of food and drink for residues of specific vulcanisation accelerators used to crosslink rubber. The method was applied to the analysis of 236 samples of selected retail foodstuffs... 

Deformulation of vulcanised rubbers and rubber compounds at Dunlop (1988) is given in Scheme 2.3. Schnecko and Angerer [72] have reviewed the effectiveness of NMR, MS, TG and DSC for the analysis of rubber and rubber compounds containing curing agents, fillers, accelerators and other additives. PyGC has been widely used for the analysis of elastomers, e.g. in the determination of the vulcanisation mode (peroxide or sulfur) of natural rubbers. 

Brack [81] has illustrated the analysis of antioxidants in a CB-free vulcanisate of unknown composition according to Scheme 2.7. Some components detected by off-line TD-GC-MS (cyclohexylamine, aniline and benzothiazole) were clearly indicative of the CBS accelerator other TD components were identified as the antioxidants BHT, 6PPD, Vulcanox BKF and the antiozonant Vulkazon AFS. In the methanol extract also the stabiliser ODPA was identified. The presence of an aromatic oil was clearly derived from the GC-MS spectra of the thermal and methanol extracts. The procedure is very similar to that of Scheme 2.3. 

FAB has been used to analyse additives in (un) vulcanised elastomer systems [92,94] and FAB matrices have been developed which permit the direct analysis of mixtures of elastomer additives without chromatographic separation. The T-156 triblend vulcanised elastomer additives poly-TMDQ (AO), CTP (retarder), HPPD (antiozonant), and TMTD, OBTS, MBT and A,lV-diisopropyl-2-benzothiazylsulfenamide (accelerators) were studied in three matrix solutions (glycerol, oleic acid, and NPOE) [94]. The thiuram class of accelerators were least successful. Mixture analysis of complex rubber vulcanisates without chromatographic separation was demonstrated. The differentiation of matrix ions from sample ions was enhanced by use of high-resolution acquisition. 

Consideration is given to the toxicity of nitrosamines formed during rubber vulcanisation in the presence of certain accelerators, the mechanisms by which they are formed, and French, German and European Union regulations relating to nitrosamines in the workplace atmosphere and in rubber products. Methods used in the sampling and analysis of nitrosamines are also described. 6 refs. 

The analysis of vulcanisates was reviewed by Burger [116] and Aulder [117]. Aulder examined the various methods that had been used for the determination of antioxidants, antiozonants and accelerators with special emphasis on paper chromatography. He evaluated and developed the methods of Miksch and Prolss [118] and Zijp [114], and refined parts of their methods. 

MBT in vulcanisates semiquantitatively. The accelerator zinc-A-dimethyldithiocarbamate (ZDMC) cannot be detected by PyGC-MS analysis at 550 C in the unfragmented state because of its low thermal stability [502]. However, ZDMC in vulcanised natural rubber (NR) could unambiguously be identified by DI-MS on the basis of the peak spectrum of the molecular mass trace m/z 304 (Pig. 2.37). 

Oguri [970] has described the use of HS-GC in the analysis of additives in vulcanised rubbers and reinforcing materials. Accelerator fragments and AOs in vulcanised rubbers have been determined by SHS-GC-MS/FTIR/FID [971]. HS-GC is also used to determine volatile decomposition products of peroxide initiators in final resins. Tsuge et al. [972] have applied HS-GC to the determination of ester plasticisers and phenolic and amine AOs in a butadiene rubber. 

LIBS/RELMA was tested on a series of industrial NBR compounds with various deliberate recipe errors of all components (rubber, fillers, carbon-black, plasticisers, FRs, AOs, accelerators, ZnO, sulfur, mineral oil). UV excimer laser wavelengths must be employed on polymeric surfaces since only then sharp and regular ablation patterns are produced without any thermal side-effects (at variance with IR NdiYAG). LIBS/RELMA can be used for off-line analysis of vulcanisates, homogeneity testing and particle analysis in mixtures and element analysis of raw materials (in particular for fillers). RELMA... 

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