Addition of acrylic-substituted hindered phenols as addition stabilizers to polymers was investigated. Radical homopolymerization of such phenols was carried out first, and it was confirmed that polymerization proceeded without being inhibited by the hydroxyl group in the molecule to yield polymers containing phenolic hydroxyl groups. Following this, radical copolymerization with styrene was undertaken and it was found that the copolymers of the acrylic-substituted phenols and styrene had retained the phenolic hydroxyl groups after purification. On the other hand, di-tert-butyl-
p-cresol (DBPC) or allyl-substituted phenols came off the polymers in the purification step. Addition to SBR latex via heat treatment was also attempted and a solvent extract of the addition product prevented formation of gels after ageing, which proved the occurrence of addition to the latex. Moreover, DBPC was nearly completely extracted by the solvent from isoprene rubber (IR) crosslinked with DCP while the acrylicac-substituted phenols remained in the polymers after solvent extraction and improved the resistance to oxidation, which proved addition of the acrylic-substituted phenols to the rubber.
View full abstract