Effect of co-agent type on curing kinetics of vinyl-methyl siloxane and phenyl vinyl-methyl siloxane elastomers

Abstract

In this study, Type I co-agents Zinc Acrylate (ZDA), Zinc Methacrylate (ZDMA) and Type II co-agents Triallyloxy-1,3,5-triazine (TAC) and 1,3,5-triallyl-1,3, the effect of 5-triazine (TAIC) on the curing kinetics of vinyl methyl polysiloxane (VMQ) and phenyl vinyl methyl polysiloxane (PVMQ) elastomers was examined. Cure rate constant (k), reaction degree (n), and activation energy (Ea) values were evaluated according to the 1st and nth cure kinetics, using the data of the cure curves obtained from the rheological analyses performed with the moving die rheometer at different temperatures. It was determined that the type of co-agent used in the preparation of the elastomer had a positive effect on the cure rate and effective cross-link formation. In addition, the effect of both the molecular structure of the co-agent used and the type of silicone elastomer on the cure reaction was explained. Since activation energies were calculated using the entire cure curve in the nth degree cure kinetics, higher activation energy values were obtained compared to the 1st-degree cure kinetics. While the use of co-agents has been shown to affect the curing behavior and rheology of silicone elastomers, it is clear that the elastomer components and type of coagent will affect the performance of the final product.