What Are Rubber Accelerators?
Rubber accelerators are important additives used in the vulcanization process. They help speed up the reaction between rubber and sulfur, allowing rubber compounds to cure more efficiently and achieve the required physical properties.
Without accelerators, sulfur vulcanization would be much slower and more difficult to control. By selecting the right accelerator, rubber manufacturers can adjust curing speed, scorch safety, processing performance, and final product properties.
Common rubber accelerators include MBT, MBTS, CBS, TBBS, TMTD, DPG, ZDEC, ZDBC, and PVI. Different accelerators have different curing characteristics and are selected according to the rubber type and application.
Main Functions of Rubber Accelerators
Speed up the vulcanization process
Improve production efficiency
Control curing time
Improve scorch safety
Enhance the physical properties of vulcanized rubber
Help achieve the required crosslinking structure
Main Types of Rubber Accelerators
| Type |
Examples |
Main Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Thiazoles | MBT, MBTS | Good balance of curing speed and processing safety |
| Sulfenamides | CBS, TBBS, NOBS | Delayed action and good scorch safety |
| Thiurams | TMTD, TMTM | Very fast curing |
| Guanidines | DPG | Often used as a secondary accelerator |
| Dithiocarbamates | ZDEC, ZDBC | Ultra-fast curing |
Choosing the correct accelerator is important for achieving a balance between processing safety, curing speed, and final rubber performance.
