Title: Examination of tyre rubber cure by Weibull distribution functions

Authors: Young J. Chiang, C.D. Shih, C.C. Lin, Y.Y. Tseng

Addresses: Robust Engineering Company, 24690 Picara Drive, Novi, MI 48374, USA. ' Cheng-Shin Rubber Ind. Co., Ltd., 15 Mee-Kong Road, Ta-Tsun Hsiang, Chang-Hua, Taiwan. ' Cheng-Shin Rubber Ind. Co., Ltd., 15 Mee-Kong Road, Ta-Tsun Hsiang, Chang-Hua, Taiwan, ROC ' Cheng-Shin Rubber Ind. Co., Ltd., 15 Mee-Kong Road, Ta-Tsun Hsiang, Chang-Hua, Taiwan

Abstract: A statistical examination of tyre rubber cure based on Weibull distribution functions was conducted. It has been proven using Weibull distribution functions that there exist mixed modes in rubber resilience for a cure curve without reversion: viscous effect and cross-linking. It appears that a single 2-parameter Weibull distribution function is adequate to embrace the mixed modes associated with a non-reverted cure curve. The scale factor decreases, as the cure temperature is elevated higher. The probability density function of degree of cure is also explored. The higher the environmental temperature, the more coherent is the central tendency of cure rate. A quality vs. productivity chart is proposed as a practical approach to decision making on rubber cure.

Keywords: automotive tyres; rubber cure; degree of cure; rheometer-torque curves; Weibull distribution functions; vulcanisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2004.003924

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2004 Vol.20 No.1/2/3, pp.210 - 219

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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