This paper introduces new SP2 (Enhanced Scorch Protected) peroxide technology based upon the two most widely used peroxides for crosslinking, dicumyl peroxide and di(t-butylperoxy)diisopropylbenzene. Arkema Inc. manufactures these peroxides under the trade names of Luperox^Ò DC40P-SP2 and Luperox^Ò F40P-SP2, respectively. The R. T. Vanderbilt Company, Inc. will market these two peroxides as Varox^Ò DCP-40C- SP2 and Varox^Ò 802-40C-SP2.

In this paper we will evaluate the crosslinking and compounding performance of the SP2 peroxide technology in the following elastomers: AEM, CPE, EPDM, EVA, EOM and HNBR. We will also show how to use this new SP2 peroxide technology with crosslinking coagents to improve productivity and reduce production costs by providing further decreases in final cure time with longer scorch times, while maintaining the targeted crosslinking level in several elastomers.