Identification of the intermediates sulfur vulcanization of natural rubber

This paper deals with the sulfur-accelerated vulcanization of natural rubber using the model compound vulcanization approach. Squalene was the model molecule chosen, and a curing system containing a combination of two different accelerator types. Such a combination is known to give a synergetic effect in both the processing and the final properties of the vulcanizate. The vulcanization process was characterized using HPLC, GPC, and MS.