Process of forming joints in vulcanised rubber articles

摘要

A process for forming a joint between a post-vulcanized rubber article and itself or between a post-vulcanized rubber article and another article comprises placing a bonding material, e.g. an adhesive or uncured rubber, between the parts of the article(s) to be joined, heating the bonding material under compression to effect curing thereof and thereby form the joint and releasing the joint from compression; in the process of the present invention, the bonding material is microwave absorbent, the parts of the article(s) on either side of the joint absorb microwaves to a lesser extent than the bonding material and the heating of the joint is performed by microwave heating. The curing of the joint by microwave heating decreases the cure time and prevents the article(s) from being over-cured or reverted. The bonding material may incorporate a microwave absorbent additive, e.g. certain carbon blocks, PbO2, BaTiO3, BaSO4 or ZnO.