Nitrosamine Free Compounding w/ NR and IR

Nitrosamines are carcinogenic mutagens produced during the vulcanization of rubber compounds as a result of certain accelerators that contain secondary amines (R₂NH).  Some nitrosamines can be considered safe and non-carcinogenic but most are not.  This carcinogenic nature has caused a ban to take effect in Europe in recent years and concern is slowly rising here in the US.  This series of experiments is designed to examine the use of nitrosamine safe or non-nitrosamine producing accelerators in natural rubber and synthetic natural rubber compounds to be used in anti-noise/vibration and dampening applications.  The basis of the experimentation will involve the use of dithiocarbamate and dithiophosphate accelerators in various NR and IR compounds that will be tested for rheology, and basic post cure testing such as heat age, compression set, dampening properties and static to dynamic ratios, among other tests.