Peroxidvulkanizáció

Peroxidvulkanizáció, also known as peroxide curing, is a chemical process used to crosslink polymers, most commonly rubbers. This process involves the use of organic peroxides as curing agents. When heated, these peroxides decompose, forming free radicals. These free radicals then abstract hydrogen atoms from the polymer chains, creating polymer radicals. These polymer radicals can then combine with each other, forming stable carbon-carbon crosslinks between the polymer chains. This network of crosslinks significantly alters the physical and mechanical properties of the polymer.

Unlike sulfur vulcanization, which is more common for unsaturated rubbers, peroxidvulkanizáció is particularly effective for saturated elastomers like ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), silicone rubber, and fluoroelastomers. The advantage of peroxidvulkanizáció is that it produces crosslinks that are more stable to heat and aging. It also generally results in products with better compression set resistance and resistance to certain chemicals.

The process typically involves mixing the polymer with the peroxide and other additives, such as co-agents, at elevated temperatures. Co-agents can help to improve the efficiency of the crosslinking reaction and the properties of the final product. The curing time and temperature depend on the specific polymer, peroxide type, and desired crosslink density. While offering advantages in thermal stability and specific performance characteristics, peroxidvulkanizáció can sometimes be more expensive than sulfur vulcanization and may produce byproducts that require careful handling.