Property modellingA knowledge based approach for elastomer cure kinetic parameters estimation

Isoconversionnal kinetic analysis was applied for the first time to the isothermal cure reaction of an elastomer compound. The apparent activation energy obtained was almost constant, regardless of the degree of cure. Such a result justifies the use of simple phenomenological kinetic models with a unique activation energy, and allows development of a knowledge based approach to kinetic parameters estimation, applied to two models frequently used for the modelling of elastomer cure reactions: the Isayev and Kamal & Sourour models. Simplified Kamal & Sourour models with a reduced number of kinetic parameters were obtained. Simulations with such models give a better description of experimental data than the Isayev model, especially taking into account the simulation of the rate of reaction.