Page 4 CHEM-TEXTS Vol. 5 No. 3
Know Your Products: Rubber Chemical Accelerators
by Dr. Bob Brown
(This issue continues the article in Vol. 5, No. 2 on Accelerators made or marketed by the Naugatuck Chemical plant.)
Accelerators are used primarily to speed up, or control the vulcanization process which turns rubber from a useless, gummy substance into a strong resilient and elastic material. Vulcanization, in simple terms, is a chemical reaction between rubber and sulfur, usually brought about by heat.
Faster Accelerators
Where there is less processing or mixing involved, very fast accelerators with little or no delayed action can be used to give more rapid vulcanization. The Zates (Arazate®, Butazate®, Ethazate® and Methazate®) and the Thiurams (Monex®, Pentex®, Tuex®, and Accelerator 108) are used here. They are also used in latex curing where processing is usually not a problem.
Customers use these accelerators for rubber sponge, wire insulation, hot water bottles, conveyor belts, hospital sheeting, and household items and in such latex products as balloons and carpet backing.
The Zates accelerators are non-discoloring and non-staining and can be used in colored rubber products.
Some of the newer synthetic rubbers (Royalene® “the crackless rubber” is an example) are inherently slower in vulcanization than the older types such as natural rubber, neoprene and the Naugapol® and Paracril® synthetic rubbers made at the Naugatuck and Painesville, Ohio plants. Fast accelerators are needed to speed up the vulcanization process for these types of rubber, otherwise it would be economically impossible to make a product at a reasonable selling price to the consumer.
Dr. Bob Brown, author of these articles, is manager of Research and Development for Rubber Chemicals. He received his doctorate degree from Princeton University in Organic Chemistry and holds several patent awards. Dr. Brown heads a staff of 42 people whose sole function is to improve our present chemicals and to develop new ones in order to remain competitive in the market.
GMF and DIBENZO GMF® are used in butyl rubber which also vulcanizes very slowly. A large amount of butyl rubber is used for tire tubes, and high voltage electrical cable.
CPB, DBA Very Active
Sometimes customers want to vulcanize rubber products without heating them at all. Very active accelerators like CPB and DBA accomplish this. In this process the product must be shaped before the accelerator is added. Golf ball covers, for example, are vulcanized by soaking the finished balls in a solution of CPB.
(In the next issue of Chem-Texts, Antioxidants and Antiozonants will be discussed. If you have a son or daughter in school, these articles provide source material for class papers in Chemistry courses.)
33 Employees
(Cont’d. from page 2)
are under further evaluation for higher amounts dependent on the amount of the savings for the plant.
Other employees who received cash awards for Ideas were P. Blasko, F. Maffia, M. Jannetty, D. Stevenson, E. Grickis, R. Guest, B. Robinson, A. Urban, S. Kropcho, J. Harper, J. Gilbert, A. Happy, J. Iosa, H. Garahan, F. Surmanek (2), L. DeLaRosa (2), P. Beardsley, S. Falcone, H. Hernandez, A. Grella, J. Needham, D. Boyd, E. Root, Sr., A. Molnar, D. Pinto and J. Cohen.
Letters of Commendation were presented to C. Smith, L. Fortier, F. Gagne, Carol Calo, J. Gallucci, R. Lockwood, D. Donato, T. Carr, Preciosa Cravo, D. Nelson, A. Nauges, W. Krayeski, W. Tabaka and D. Polzella.
Of the 33 employees awarded cash for Ideas, two were salary employees and the highest number of Ideas were submitted by Mechanical Department personnel.
No Limit to Cash Awards
There is no maximum limit to the amount of a cash award for an Idea. If the value of the Idea exceeds $1,000—this amount is paid under the Plant Idea Plan—it is submitted for further consideration for a higher award to a special management committee. The minimum award for an Idea is $25.
Ideas to Conserve Water Needed
With the construction of the new liquid waste pretreatment plant in progress, ideas to conserve water are needed now as the facilities are designed to treat 3,600,000 gallons a day.
SAFETY IS MY RESPONSIBILITY
Crim Assumes IR Post
Two Industrial Relations Managers not agreeing? Unbelievable! But that’s what the photo seems to say as Jesse Crim, right, new Industrial Relations Manager for the Naugatuck Chemical plant discusses a fine point on employee relations with Ron Mitchinson, former IR Manager and now with the Corporate IR staff in Oxford. Crim came from the Chemical Division’s Painesville, Ohio plant, where he held the position of IR Manager.
Crim will be responsible for labor and employee relations, personnel development and training, plant protection and employee safety, communications, public and community relations, and employment.
Appointments Announced
Sam Gillette has been named Methods Engineering Manager, reporting to the Factory Manager.
Joe Bucciaglia was appointed General Foreman for the Chemical Production Plant.
Eric Johnson was made Chief Process Engineer for the Chemical Production Plant.
Lee Owens assumes the responsibilities of General Foreman in the Synthetic Production Plant.
Clark Makinson moved to the Materials Flow Department in EMIC.
Ed Rabitor replaces Clark in the Chemical Control Center.
Three Retire In Month
Rated one of the top mechanics in the plant, Ed Bouley, center, retired after 27 years of service. Congratulating him on his retirement are from left: Al Mukosey; Hank Drummer, Foreman; Bouley; Charlie Roland, URW 308 Vice President; and Joe Adamski.
Julia Curtin, right, with 44 years service shares 20 lb. cake with members of Control Department. In photo from left are Alice Schofield, Marie Marrello, Loretta Walker, Elaine Connelly, Marcella Pape, Helen Southard, Jack Dunn, Payroll Supervisor, and Julia.
Timothy (Francis) Egan accepts cake from his wife, Alice, on his retirement after 35 years. Left to right: Molly Cobbol, Millie Finsel, Francis and Alice Egan. In rear from left are Frank Rodrigues, Sal Aloise, and Walt Frankenberger. Kay Dowling arranged the luncheon.
CHEM-TEXTS
PUBLISHED BY THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
UNIROYAL CHEMICAL, NAUGATUCK, CONN. 06770
EDITOR: William F. Lavelle.
UNIROYAL CHEMICAL
Naugatuck, Connecticut 06770
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