– A Landau theory is constructed for the vulcanization transition in cross-linked polymer systems with spontaneous nematic ordering. The neo-classical theory of the elasticity of nematic elastomers is derived via the minimization of this Landau free energy; this neoclassical theory contains the classical theory of rubber elasticity as its isotropic limit. Our work not only reveals the statistic...

Randomly cross-linked macromolecules undergo a liquid to amorphous-solid phase transition at a critical cross-link concentration. This transition has two main signatures: the random localization of a fraction of the monomers and the emergence of a nonzero static shear modulus. In this paper, a semimicroscopic statistical mechanical theory of the elastic properties of the amorphous solid state i...

A systematic study was performed to understand the effects of devulcanizing agent dibenzamido diphenyl disulfide (DBD) on vulcanization and devulcanization process a sulfur-cured ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. The influence DBD investigated by mixing with virgin rubber curative system. waste achieved varying amounts ranging from 0.4 13.8 wt% temperatures 150 200°C. quality vulc...

Global competition today is forcing tire-manufacturing industries to implement continuous improvement systems that can reduce cost and improve product quality. Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers play a key role in the quality of vulcanized tire. This paper presents a novel method for the performance assessment and controller tuning of temperature control loops in a tire vulcaniz...