Vulcanization forms crosslinks in a rubber compound, helping it retain its shape and recover after deformation. The cure system and processing conditions affect the properties of the finished grommet, including hardness, strength and compression behavior.
Cure system and performance
Different cure systems produce different crosslink structures. Their performance also depends on the base polymer, fillers, additives and processing history. A comparison between sulfur-cured and peroxide-cured compounds must identify the actual formulations and test conditions; the cure-system name alone does not establish a ranking for every application.
Production checks
Cure temperature and time should be controlled for the selected compound and part geometry. Under-curing or excessive heat exposure can lead to unacceptable properties. Inspect dimensions and appearance, and use the specified material and finished-part tests to assess conformity.
When reviewing aging data, request the test method, exposure conditions and acceptance criteria. Unsupported oxygen-uptake figures should not be used to predict service life.
