Peculiarities of cross-linked structure formation of the SKI-3 poly(isoprene) elastomer during high-temperature vulcanization

Regularities of Network formation and degradation of SKI-3 polyisoprene rubber were studied at 190 degrees C. Data on the content of sol fraction and its MM distribution were obtained as the dependences on the vulcanization duration at various contents of tetramethylthiuram disulfide and sulfenamide C as the cross-linking agents. MM of the sol fraction was shown to decrease depending on the nature of the cross-linking system. The effects of cross-linking and degradation processes on the properties of the SKI-3-based thermoplastic elastomers are discussed.