Rubber compounding relies heavily on a combination of accelerators, antioxidants, activators, retarders and processing aids to achieve the required curing speed, thermal stability, mechanical strength and long-term aging resistance. Each chemical plays a very distinct role in vulcanization and performance. Understanding the difference between TMQ, TDQ, MBT, MBTS, CBS, TBBS, TMTD, ZDEC, ZDBC, ZMBT, PVI and DPG is essential for rubber technologists, QC engineers, tyre compounders, molded rubber manufacturers and industrial rubber processors.
The performance of tyres, seals, gaskets, hoses, belts, mounts, footwear soles and technical rubber goods depends on the correct selection and combination of these chemicals. The differences described below help manufacturers choose the right accelerator system, antioxidant package and cure modifier to match their product requirements.
Chemical Classification Overview
To understand the differences, first see how each chemical type is categorized:
| Chemical | Category | Function | Rubber Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| TMQ | Antioxidant | Heat & oxidation protection | Aging resistance |
| TDQ | Antioxidant | Flex fatigue protection | Dynamic durability |
| MBT | Thiazole accelerator | Medium-fast cure | Base accelerator |
| MBTS | Disulfide accelerator | Slower, safer cure | Tyre & general rubber |
| CBS | Sulfenamide accelerator | Delayed action | Main tyre accelerator |
| TBBS | Sulfenamide accelerator | Faster than CBS | High-performance tyres |
| TMTD | Thiuram accelerator | Ultra-fast cure | Secondary accelerator |
| ZDEC | Dithiocarbamate | Ultra-fast | Latex & soft rubber |
| ZDBC | Dithiocarbamate | Ultra-fast | Latex, sponge rubber |
| ZMBT | Zinc-based accelerator | Moderate speed | Latex, NR, specialty |
| PVI | Retarder | Prevents scorch | Tyre cure safety |
| DPG | Secondary accelerator | Promoter for MBT/MBTS | Improved activation |
Detailed Comparison Based on Function
1. Antioxidants: TMQ vs TDQ
| Property | TMQ | TDQ |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Type | Quinoline | Dihydroquinoline |
| Function | Heat aging resistance | Flex fatigue & crack resistance |
| Applications | Tyres, hoses, belts | Dynamic rubber parts |
| Thermal Stability | High | Moderate |
| Flex Cracking | Moderate | Excellent |
| Blooming | Non-blooming | Non-blooming |
Key Difference:
TMQ protects against long-term heat aging, while TDQ is preferred for dynamic stress and flex cracking.
2. Thiazole & Sulfenamide Accelerators: MBT, MBTS, CBS & TBBS
| Accelerator | Cure Speed | Scorch Safety | Applications | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBT | Moderate | Moderate | Footwear, hoses | Often used as primary accelerator |
| MBTS | Slow | High | Tyre & mechanical rubber goods | Non-staining & safer |
| CBS | Fast | High | Radial tyres, belts | Delayed action, stable cure |
| TBBS | Very fast | High | High-performance tyres | Better mechanical properties |
Key Differences:
- MBTS is safer but slower.
- CBS offers balanced cure characteristics.
- TBBS provides faster and stronger cure for performance tyres.
3. Thiuram & Dithiocarbamate Accelerators: TMTD, ZDEC, ZDBC, ZMBT
| Chemical | Type | Cure Speed | Best Use | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMTD | Thiuram | Ultra-fast | Secondary accel. | Produces nitrosamines |
| ZDEC | Dithiocarbamate | Ultra-fast | Latex goods | Very low activation energy |
| ZDBC | Dithiocarbamate | Ultra-fast | Latex, sponge | Faster than ZDEC |
| ZMBT | Zinc dithiocarbamate | Moderate | Latex, NR | Less likely to over-cure |
Key Differences:
- TMTD is powerful but faces regulatory pressure.
- ZDEC & ZDBC are preferred for latex due to fast cure and fine particle dispersion.
- ZMBT offers non-staining properties and safer cure for latex.
4. Retarder: PVI
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Main Function | Prevents premature vulcanization (scorch) |
| Use | Tyre compounds |
| Interaction | Works with CBS & TBBS |
| Benefit | Improves processing safety |
Key Difference:
PVI is not an accelerator—it’s a cure retarder used to prevent early scorch.
5. Secondary Accelerator: DPG
| Purpose | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Guadinine accelerator |
| Role | Promotes activation of MBT/MBTS |
| Benefits | Increases cure speed, improves modulus |
| Compatibility | Works with NR, SBR, NBR |
Key Difference:
DPG is not typically used alone; it enhances thiazole accelerators.
Large Comparison Table – All Chemicals Together
| Chemical | Type | Cure Speed | Function | Applications | Scorch Safety | Blooming | Specialty Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMQ | Antioxidant | N/A | Heat aging resistance | Tyres, hoses | Excellent | No | Long-term durability |
| TDQ | Antioxidant | N/A | Flex resistance | Dynamic rubber | Excellent | No | Anti-crack |
| MBT | Thiazole | Medium | Accelerator | General rubber | Medium | No | Base accelerator |
| MBTS | Disulfide | Slow | Accelerator | Tyres, belts | High | No | Safe processing |
| CBS | Sulfenamide | Fast | Accelerator | Tyre compounds | High | No | Delayed action |
| TBBS | Sulfenamide | Very fast | Accelerator | HP tyres | High | No | Better modulus |
| TMTD | Thiuram | Ultra-fast | Secondary accel. | General & specialty | Low | Yes (some) | Nitrosamine concern |
| ZDEC | Dithiocarbamate | Ultra-fast | Accelerator | Latex | Low | No | Soft compounds |
| ZDBC | Dithiocarbamate | Ultra-fast | Accelerator | Latex/sponge | Low | No | High activity |
| ZMBT | Zinc dithiocarbamate | Medium | Accelerator | Latex, NR | High | No | Non-staining |
| PVI | Retarder | N/A | Scorch prevention | Tyres | Excellent | No | Cure safety |
| DPG | Guanidine | Slow | Secondary accel. | Mechanicals | Good | No | Promoter for MBT/MBTS |
How These Chemicals Affect Vulcanization
Accelerator Speed & Crosslink Density
- Slow → MBTS, ZMBT
- Moderate → MBT, CBS
- Fast → TBBS, TMTD
- Ultra-fast → ZDEC, ZDBC
Heat Resistance
- Strongest from antioxidants TMQ and 6PPD
Flex Crack Resistance
- Best from TDQ, ZMBT and amine antioxidants
Scorch Safety
- Highest in MBTS, CBS, TBBS, PVI
Regulatory Notes
- ZDEC, ZDBC safer than TMTD for low-nitrosamine requirements.
Understanding the differences between TMQ, TDQ, MBT, MBTS, CBS, TBBS, TMTD, ZDEC, ZDBC, ZMBT, PVI and DPG allows rubber manufacturers to design precise curing systems that optimize heat stability, modulus development, flex crack resistance, processing safety and final product durability. These chemicals form the core of rubber compounding across tyres, footwear, hoses, belts, gaskets, seals and industrial molded rubber goods.
Manufacturers across India depend on consistent, high-quality rubber chemicals to achieve stable, reliable vulcanization results. Arihant Reclamation Pvt. Ltd. (ARPL) supplies premium-grade accelerators, antioxidants and activators including:
TMQ, TDQ, MBT, MBTS, CBS, TBBS, TMTD, ZDEC, ZDBC, ZMBT, DPG, PVI, and Zinc Oxide, designed for superior performance in tyre, non-tyre, automotive, and industrial rubber applications.
With Pan India delivery, strict quality standards and bulk order capability, ARPL is a trusted partner for rubber manufacturers seeking long-term supply stability and technical reliability.
For enquiries and bulk orders:
📞 +91-8860732624
📧 arihantreclamation@gmail.com
🌐 https://arihantreclamationpvtltd.com/