Polybutadiene and Chloroprene Rubber

51
100. It can be extended with large volumes of black
and oil to obtain economical compounds. Neoprene
WRT is the most crystallization-resistant neoprene.
The T grades are closely related to the W grades
and contain a crosslinked polymer gel fraetion of
polychloroprene to improve behavior. They are
crystal Iization-resisrant
and do require organic
accleration. These types have very low nerve and
shrinkage. TypicaJ grades are TW and TRT.

D. Compounding
Neoprene seldom is chosen over other polymers
(on the basis) of technical factors alone.
Compared to such rubbers as NR and SBR, it is
more expensive per pound. In addition, its density
of 1.23-1.25 is significantly higher than that of
other elastomers, which means higher costs on a
volume basis, Accordingly, if oil resistance is
wanted, a blend of NR and a butadiene
acrylonitrile rubber might be considered. lf high
ozone resistance is wanted, a blend of NR and
EPDM (see Chapter 6, Section JII) would be
appropriate. This works both ways

of course. Addition of BR to neoprene will

improve its flex life; similarly, if EPDM is added,
ozone resistance is bettered, yet the good
processibility of neoprene can be retained. Such
blends are not really homogeneous but helero
geneous. It has been theorized that certain
technical advantages, such as re sistance to
cracking, are achieved because tbe crack
terminates al a polymer phase boundary. There is
evidence that carbon black is not evenly distributed
through a blend but is concentrated more in one of
the polymers, which might explain this
phenomenon.
Neoprene is used frequently in belts, wire and cable,
hose components, and
molded or extruded items. It is used in conveyor
belts when parts transported or ambient conditions
are oily. lts oil resistance is valuable in the tubes
and covers of hoses like gasoline curb pump hose
and oil suction and discharge hose. Service
entrance wire and drop wire require (he
resistance to abras ion and weather that neoprene
provides. Molded pipe gaskets and extruded building
seals are made of neoprene.
Neoprene compounds used in outdoor exposures
are usually black or dark brown, since light-colored
compounds darken in sunlight. On the plus side,
neoprene gives strong, pure gum stock.s with high

tensile strength and adheres well to other material s;

its resistance ro fire can be a unique advantage.
Neoprene vulcanizates commonly meet the
requirements of type BC in ASTM D 2000,
"Standard
Classification System for Rubber
Products in Automotive Applica tions. "
After neoprene has been chosen as the polymer, the
particular type must be
selected. One guideline bere can be the Mooney
viscosity. It is known that the higher (he Mooney
viscosity, the better the acceptance of fillers and
oils, the better the dimensional stability of uncured
shapes, and the higher the tensile strength. Lower
Mooney viscosity means lower mixing
temperature, lower

Copyrighted material