The use of modified "neodymium" polybutadiene in the formulation of the outer lining of conveyor belts

Currently, in the formulations of conveyor belts, polybutadiene rubber used with a content of up to 50 mass parts to improve the strength and wear resistance of rubbers. The results of a study of the properties of covering rubber compounds and rubbers based on a combination of polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene copolymer and polybutadiene used for the manufacture of conveyor belts were presented. The use of modified "neodymium" polybutadiene (SKD-ND-M), in the preparation of which a polyfunctional heterocyclic compound was used as a modifier, was proposed in the formulation of the lining of conveyor belts. This sample was characterized by an increased content of 1,4-cis units, a narrow MWD and a Mooney viscosity at the level of rubbers obtained without a modifier. We used serial brands of rubbers obtained on different catalytic systems: titanium (SKD) and neodymium (SKD-ND) as reference samples. A significant reduction in energy consumption in the manufacture of rubber compounds based on modified rubber in comparison with the rubber compound based on SKD was noted. It has been established that the use of SKD-ND-M instead of SKD made it possible to achieve an improvement in the technological properties of rubber compounds and their vulcanization characteristics, to ensure the required level of physical and mechanical properties of vulcanizates and performance indicators of lining rubbers. An improvement in the tear resistance of rubbers, as well as in compression set at 100°C and 125°C, when using modified "neodymium" polybutadiene in the lining rubber formulation instead of SKD rubber, was revealed. Replacing SKD-ND with a modified analogue provided a reduction in the abrasion rate of the conveyor belt lining, which will positively affect the increase in the service life of products based on it.