New oligomer-bound antioxidants for improved flex crack resistance and ozone resistance

New oligomer-bound antioxidants have been prepared by condensation reaction. The efficiency and permanence of these oligomer- bound paraphenylene diamines as antioxidants has been compared with conventional amine type antioxidants in NR, SBR, IIR and NBR and in elastomer blends like NR/BR and NR/SBR. The oligomer-bound antioxidants are found to impart improved ozone, flex resistance and mechanical properties to the vulcanizates of NR, SBR, IIR and NBR and to blends of NR/BR and NR/ SBR in comparison with those containing conventional antioxidants.

Ozone-induced responses in Arabidopsis thaliana: the role of salicylic acid in the accumulation of defense-related transcripts and induced resistance.

Exposure of Arabidopsis thaliana to ozone results in the expression of a number of defense-related genes that are also induced during a hypersensitive response. A potential common link between the activation of defense gene expression during a hypersensitive response and by ozone treatment is the production of active oxygen species and the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide. Here we report that salicylic acid accumulation, which can be induced by hydrogen peroxide and is required for the expression of both a hypersensitive response and systemic acquired resistance, is also required for the induction of some, but not all, ozone-induced mRNAs examined. In addition, we show that ozone exposure triggers induced resistance of A. thaliana to infection with virulent phytopathogenic Pseudomonas syringae strains. Infection of transgenic plants expressing salicylate hydroxylase, which prevents the accumulation of salicylic acid, or npr1 mutant plants, which are defective in the expression of systemic acquired resistance at a step downstream of salicylic acid, demonstrated that the signaling pathway activated during ozone-induced resistance overlaps with the systemic acquired resistance activation pathway and is salicylic acid dependent. Interestingly, plants expressing salicylate hydroxylase exhibited increased sensitivity to ozone exposure. These results demonstrate that ozone activates at least two distinct signaling pathways, including a salicylic acid dependent pathway previously shown to be associated with the activation of pathogen defense reactions, and that this latter pathway also induces a protective response to ozone.

EPDM/CIIR Blends: Compatibility, Morphology and Physical Properties

A detailed study of the blends of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) and chlorobutyl rubber (CIIR) is proposed in this study. These blends may find application in the manufacture of curing diaphragms/curing envelopes for tire curing applications. EPDM possesses better physical properties such as high heat resistance, ozone resistance, cold and moisture resistance, high resistance to permanent defonnation, very good resistance to flex cracking and impact. Because of the low gas and moisture penneability, good weathering resistance and high thermal stability of CIIR, blends of EPDM with CIlR may be attractive, if sufficient mechanical strength can be developed. Although a lot of work has been done on elastomer blends, studies on the blends of EPDM and CIIR rubbers are meagre. Hence in this investigation it is proposed to make a systematic study on the characteristics of EPDM and CIIR rubber blends.The mechanical and physical properties of an elastomer blend depend mainly on the blend compatibility. So in the first part of the study, it is proposed to develop compatible blends of EPDM with CIIR. Various commercial grades of ethylenepropylene- diene rubber are proposed to be blended with a specific grade of chlorobutyl rubber at varying proportions. The extent of compatibility in these blends is proposed to be evaluated based on their mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tear strength and ageing resistance. In addition to the physical property measurements, blend compatibility is also proposed to be studied based on the glass transition behavlour of the blends in relation to the Tg's of the individual components using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The phase morphology of the blends is also proposed to be investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies of the tensile fracture surfaces. In the case of incompatible blends, the effect of addition of chlorosulfonated polyethylene as a compatibiliser is also proposed to be investigated.In the second part of the study, the effect of sulphur curing and resin curing on the curing behaviour and the vulcanizate properties of EPDM/CIIR blends are planned to be evaluated. Since the properties of rubber vulcanizates are determined by their network structures, it is proposed to determine the network structure of the vulcanizates by chemical probes so as to correlate it with the mechanical properties.In the third part of the work, the effect of partial precuring of one of the components prior to blending as a possible means of improving the properties of the blend is proposed to be investigated. This procedure may also help to bring down the viscosity mismatch between the constituent e1astomers and provide covulcanization of the blend.The rheological characteristics and processability of the blends are proposed to be investigated in the last part of the study. To explore their possible applications, the air permeability of the blend samples at varying temperatures is proposed to be measured. The thermal diffusivity behaviour of EPDM/CIlR blends is also proposed to be investigated using novel laser technique. The thermal diffusivity of the blends along with the thermal degradation resistance may help to determine whether the blends are suitable for high temperature applications such as in the manufacturing of curing envelope.

Resistance training for the older adult: Manipulating training variables to enhance muscle strength

Resistance training has been shown to reliably and substantially enhance muscle function in older adults and these improvements can be accompanied by improved functional performance. Training variables should be manipulated to enhance muscle strength and minimize injury risks in this population.

Latex Stage Blending of Natural Rubber and Poly(Vinyl Chloride ) for Improved Mechanical Properties

A novel method of blending natural rubber with polyvinylchloride in the latex stage was developed, Dioctyl phthalate (DOP) and Amine terminated natural rubber (ATNR) were used as plasticisers, for improving the mechanical properties of these blends. Properties of the latex stage blends were compared with those of dry blends. Latex stage blends showed superior mechanical properties compared to the blends prepared in the dry state. The ageing resistance, oil resistance and processability were found to be improved by latex stage blending.

EPDM/CIIR Blends : Effect of EPDM Grade on Mechanical Properties

Blends of chlorobutyl rubber (CIIR) with two grades of ethylene-propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) were prepared and the effect of blend ratio on the cure characteristics, hot air ageing resistance, steam ageing resistance, and mechanical properties were evaluated. The blend of CIIR with EPDM grade 301 T showed additive behavior and the blend with the other grade of EPDM (NDR 4640) showed synergistic behavior.

Utilisation of IIR Tube Reclaim for Developing NR/IIR Blends

Butyl (IIR) tube reclaim (RR) was mixed with carbon black filled natural rubber (NR) compounds at various percentages. The blend containing a low percentage of RR was found to show improved ageing resistance and improved processability with out much reduction in the mechanical properties.

Use of Amine Terminated Liquid Natural Rubber as a Plasticiser in Filled NR andNBR Compounds

Amine Terminated Liquid Natural Rubber (ATNR) was used as a plasticiser in filled NR and NBR compounds replacing oil/DOP. The scorch time and cure time were found to be lowered when ATNR was used as the plasticiser. ATNR was found to improve the mechanical properties like tensile strength, tear strength and modulus of the vulcanizates . The ageing resistance of the vulcanizates containing ATNR was superior compared to the vulcanizates containing oil/DOP.

Studies on Mastication Stage Binding of Antioxidants

Paraphenylenediamine and diphenylamine were chemically attached to natural rubber during mastication . The rubber bound antioxidants were characterized by TLC, 'H-NMR, IR and TGA. The efficiency and permenance of these bound antioxidants were compared with a conventional amine type antioxidant in filled natural rubber vulcanizates . The rubber bound antioxidants were found to be less volatile and less extractable as compared to conventional antioxidants. The vulcanizates showed improved ageing resistance as compared to vulcanizates containing conventional antioxidants. This semisolid rubber bound antioxidant can reduce the amount of plasticizer required for compounding.

Studies on natural rubber-bound diphenylamine antioxidants

Diphenylamine was chemically attached to depolymerised natural rubber by photochemical reaction. The rubber-bound diphenylamine was characterised by TLC, HNMR, IR and TGA. The efficiency and permanence of the bound diphenylamine was compared with conventional amine type antioxidant in natural rubber vulcanizates. The rubber-bound diphenylamine was found to be less volatile and less extractable compared to the conventional antioxidant. The vulcanizates showed improved ageing resistance in comparison to vulcanizates containing conventional antioxidant . Also, the presence of liquid rubber-bound diphenylamine reduces the amount of plasticiser required for compounding.

Studies on rubber bound antioxidants

Antioxidants were attached to hydroxy-terminated liquid natural rubber by modified Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction using anhydrous zinc chloride as catalyst. The rubber bound antioxidants were found to be less volatile and less extractable compared to conventional antioxidants. The bound antioxidants were tried both in latex compounds and dry rubber compounds. The vulcanizates showed improved ageing resistance compared to vulcanizates based on conventional antioxidants.

Preparation and Characterisation of Novel Polymer Bound Phenolic Antioxidants and Its Use in Natural Rubber

ABSTRACT: Phenol was chemically attached to low molecular weight chlorinated polyisobutylene and stearic acid respectively. These phenolic antioxidants were characterised by IR, 1H NMR and TGA. The efficiency and permanence of these bound antioxidants were compared with conventional antioxidants in natural rubber vulcanisates. The vulcanisates showed comparable ageing resistance in comparison to vulcanisates containing conventional antioxidants. The presence of liquid polymer bound phenol reduce the amount of plasticiser required for compounding.

Studies on Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber/Reclaimed Rubber Blends

Cure characteristics and mechanical properties of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber/reclaimed rubber blends were studied. Minimum torque, (ma)dmum -minimum) torque, scorch time, cure time and cure rate decreased in presence of reclaimed rul3ber. Tensile strength, elongation at break and compression set increased'with increase in reclaim content. Resilience and abrasion resistance decreased with reclaim loading. Heat build up was higher for the blends. The ageing resistance of the blends was inferior to that of the gum compound.

Compatibility Studies on Sulphur Cured EPDM/CIIR Blends

The principal objective of this study was to explore the compatibility of a blend of two synthetic elastomers viz., ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) and chlorobutyl rubber (CIIR). Various commercial grades of EPDM were blended with a specific grade of CIIR at different proportions. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tear strength, ageing resistance, etc. were studied. On the basis of the observed physical properties, two particular grades of EPDM were found to be compatible with CIIR. Differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the results. Chlorosulphonated polyethylene was added as a compatibilizing agent to overcome the phase separation of the other two incompatible grades of EPDM in blending with CIIR. The results revealed that the addition of compatibilizer greatly improves the compatibility and thereby the properties of the blends.