Pyrolysis-mass spectrometry correlations of crosslink density in natural rubber vulcanizates

A set of twelve natural rubber vulcanizates was analyzed by Curie-point pyrolysis-mass spectrometry (Py-MS). Multivariate analysis successfully correlated the Py-MS data with either total or polysulfidic crosslink density measurements. (Polysulfidic means two or more sulfurs.) The principal correlation observed was an increase in the ratio of monomer to dimer pyrolyzate yield with an increase in crosslink density. The feasibility of using Py-MS for total crosslink density determination has thus been demonstrated. The Py-MS data, however, did not allow us to distinguish different types of crosslinks.