Influence of Plasticization of Isoprene Rubber on the Mooney Viscosity of Rubber Compound
The influence of the temperature T and time t of plasticization of isoprene rubber (SKI-3) in a closed laboratory rubber mixer on the Mooney viscosity (ηм) of a rubber compound of the recipe of a truck tire breaker was studied. Empirical equations are obtained that allow calculating the ηм depending on the viscosity before plasticization (ηм0), the initial mass average molecular weight of the SKI-3 Mw0, T and t . The experimental and calculated data are shown to be in good agreement. The ηм changes most effectively at low t. The change in the nature of the influence of T on the ηм is shown to depend on the value of T . Changes in the ratio of oxidative and mechanical degradation processes, as well as recombination, depending on the value of T are discussed. Linear equations connecting the values of ηм and plasticity (P) of rubber mixtures are proposed. This allows calculating the P of breaker rubber compounds based on data on plasticization of SKI-3.