Mineral oxides and layered minerals in combination with itaconic acid as coagents for peroxide crosslinking of hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene elastomer

The aim of this work was to study the activity of nanosized calcium and magnesium oxides and layered minerals (boehmite, hydrotalcite) as coagents in the crosslinking of hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene elastomer (HNBR) with dicumyl peroxide. The surfaces of the mineral oxides and layered minerals were modified with unsaturated acid (itaconic acid) to ensure their activity during the crosslinking process. The efficiency of modification process was estimated, based on thermogravimetric analysis and zeta potential measurements of obtained coagents. In this article, we discuss the effect of coagents on the crosslinking density and mechanical properties of vulcanisates. Application of nanosized mineral oxides and layered minerals together with itaconic acid decreased the optimal vulcanisation time of rubber compounds and improved the crosslinks density as well as the tensile strength of the vulcanisates due to formation of additional ionic crosslinks in the elastomer network. It is important from technological reasons.