Hydrogenation of Natural Rubber Latex under Normal Pressure and Properties of Saturated Rubber
Hydrogenaton of natural rubber (HNR) was made by using N2H4·H2O/H2O2/CuSO4 system under normal pressure to hydrogenate NR latex. The reaction temperature as well as concentrations of sodium stearate, copper sulfate pentahydrate and hydrazine hydrate were found to have a pronounced effect on saturation of HNR. Hydrogenation of HNR of upto 64.6 % was achieved in the absence of sodium stearate but with molar ratios of copper ion versus double bond of NR molecular chain at 1:10 000, molar ratios of hydrazine hydrate versus double bond of NR molecular chain at 1.4:1 and at the reaction temperature of 45 °C. Compared with NR, the mechanical properties of HNR vulcanizate were improved and the aging resistance increased distinctly.