Pressure-Aided Microwave Rubber Vulcanization in a Ridged Three-Zone Cylindrical Cavity

The characteristics of pressure-assisted microwave vulcanization of rubber were studied in a monomode cavity. For this purpose a modified cylindrical cavity was designed taking into account the external pressure of dielectric molds at the same time that heating was taking place. The monitoring of dielectric properties of rubber sample during the vulcanization process was demonstrated to be of the utmost importance to correlate the evolution of the rubber when is heated with microwaves with the main processing parameters (viscosity and degree of cure). The results obtained looked promising as the vulcanization rates were accelerated giving vulcanized samples comparable in quality to conventional treatment methods.