Interaction of vulcanization factors during continuous rubber extrusion

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction factors during the technological process of rubber-insulated conductor's production with continual extrusion process. Rubber used for the insulation was ethylene-propylene copolymer. The reticulation inducers were different peroxides. The technological process consisted of conductor's coating with elastomer, through the continual vulcanization tube under steam pressure. The changes of vulcanization process variables: pressure and speed (vulcanization time) influence the elastomer's mechanical properties, its tensile strength. The multiple and partial correlation study was used to estimate the effects of steam pressure and vulcanization time, during the continual vulcanization, on the rubber's insulation tensile strength. The experiment was carried out during the extrusion of the conductor for the specific product type (H05RN-F 2.5 mm2). It was concluded, by the results obtained, that for keeping the vulcanization quality at high level, required is to keep pressure constant and to change the vulcanization time during the extrusion process. Numerical results obtained showed that the choice of speed (vulcanization time) increases the elastomer's tensile strength, when the pressure is kept at constant level.