Plastics & Polymers / Solution Family

Rubber Vulcanization Chemicals

The activator and accelerator package for sulfur-cured rubber u2014 zinc oxide and stearic acid activators with the thiazole accelerator MBT u2014 for conventional, semi-EV, and EV cure systems.

Overview

Rubber vulcanization chemicals are the additives that convert raw elastomerninto a crosslinked rubber by making a sulfur cure run at a usable rate. They worknas a package: an accelerator that speeds the reaction, an activator that switches thenaccelerator on, and a co-activator that keeps the active metal in solution. In this familynthat package is the thiazole accelerator MBT, zinc oxide as the activator, and stearic acidnas the co-activator. Elemental sulfur is the crosslinker the package drives.

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Zinc oxide and stearic acid are the activator system, and they act together. Stearic acidnreacts with zinc oxide to form a soluble zinc soap that converts the accelerator into itsnactive complex; without it the zinc stays largely unavailable and the cure runs slow andninefficient. Specify both, not one. The genuine trade-off sits with the accelerator: MBTncures fast, which shortens scorch safety, so compounders running hot mixers or longnprocessing windows often delay the cure with a sulfenamide rather than push MBT loading higher.

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MBT is a thiazole primary accelerator and a building block for the wider acceleratornfamily. On its own it gives a fast, moderately scorch-safe cure in natural rubber and SBR;nconverted to its disulfide (MBTS) or a sulfenamide, it buys processing time. Pair MBT withnthe zinc oxide and stearic acid activator pair plus elemental sulfur for a conventionalnsulfur cure, then adjust the sulfur-to-accelerator ratio to move between conventional,nsemi-EV, and EV networks for the heat resistance the part needs.

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Where it's used
  • Sulfur-cured natural rubber and SBR compounds for tires and technical goods
  • General-purpose molded and extruded parts: seals, gaskets, hose, and profiles
  • Activator package for conventional, semi-EV, and EV cure systems
  • Footwear, belting, and industrial rubber goods compounding
  • Dry-rubber and latex goods requiring a zinc-activated sulfur cure
Frequently asked questions
What rubber vulcanization chemicals does RawSource supply?
RawSource sources the sulfur-cure activation package: zinc oxide (the activator), stearic acid (the co-activator), and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), a thiazole accelerator. Together with elemental sulfur as the crosslinker, these are the core additives for conventional, semi-EV, and EV cure systems in natural rubber and SBR compounds.
Does RawSource supply rubber vulcanization chemicals in bulk?
Yes. Zinc oxide, stearic acid, and MBT are sourced in bulk packaging u2014 bags, drums, and supersacks u2014 configured to a compounder's consumption rate. Send the grades and volumes you run for a bulk RFQ.
What do zinc oxide and stearic acid do in a rubber cure?
They are the activator system. Stearic acid reacts with zinc oxide to form a soluble zinc soap that converts the accelerator into its active form. Specify both: zinc oxide alone is largely unavailable to the accelerator, and the cure runs slow and incomplete without the stearic acid co-activator.
Is MBT an accelerator or a crosslinker?
MBT is a thiazole accelerator, not the crosslinker. Elemental sulfur forms the crosslinks; MBT speeds that sulfur reaction to a usable rate. Adjusting the sulfur-to-accelerator ratio shifts the network between conventional, semi-EV, and EV cures for different heat-resistance needs.
Disclaimer. Information on this page is provided for general reference and compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot you purchase governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, and confirm regulatory status, classification, and suitability for your application and jurisdiction.
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