Organic Zinc Salts as Pro-Ecological Activators for Sulfur Vulcanization of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber.

Organic zinc salts and complexes were applied as activators for sulfur vulcanization of styrene-butadiene elastomer (SBR) in order to reduce the content of zinc ions in rubber compounds as compared with conventionally used zinc oxide. In this article, the effects of different organic zinc activators on the curing characteristics, crosslink densities, and mechanical properties of SBR as well as the aging resistance and thermal behavior of vulcanizates are discussed. Organic zinc salts seem to be good substitutes for zinc oxide as activators for sulfur vulcanization of SBR rubber, without detrimental effects to the vulcanization time and temperature.