ABSTRACT
To prevent flow, elastomers must be cross-linked or vulcanized. This joining of adjacent polymer chains allows the rubber part to recover from large deformations quickly and forcibly.
A wide variety of vulcanization agents are used in the rubber industry. For specialty elastomers, peroxide cross-linking is probably the most widely used and fastest growing system. The various peroxides available for cross-linking and newer developments in this area will be reviewed. Other vulcanization agents for specialty elastomers will also be presented.
