Effects of peroxide and gamma radiation on properties of devulcanized rubber/polypropylene/ethylene propylene diene monomer formulation

Mechanical and thermal properties of devulcanized rubber (DR)/polypropylene (PP)/ethylene propylene diene monomer blends (EPDM) were studied at various concentrations of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and gamma radiation doses. The blends showed improved mechanical properties for vulcanized sample. The coupling of DR/PP/EPDM with different proportions of DCP was investigated by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Evaluation of the developed blends, unirradiated and gamma irradiated, was carried out using elastic modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, thermogravimetric analysis, kinetic analysis, and DSC measurements. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40611.     

Properties of Polypropylene (PP)/Ethylene-Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM)/Natural Rubber (NR) Vulcanized Blends: The Effect of N,N-m-Phenylenebismaleimide (HVA-2) Addition

This paper discusses process development, tensile properties, morphology, oil resistance, gel content, and thermal properties of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene-propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM)/natural rubber (NR) vulcanized blends with the addition of N,N-m-phenylenebismaleimide (HVA-2) as a compatibilizer. Blends were prepared in several blend ratios in a Haake Polydrive with temperature and rotor speed of 180°C and 50 rpm, respectively. Results indicated that the combination of dicumyl peroxide (Dicup) with HVA-2 shows high torque development and stabilization torque as compared to the blend with Dicup vulcanization alone. In terms of tensile properties, the combination of Dicup with HVA-2 shows higher tensile strength, tensile modulus (M₁₀₀), elongation at break, oil resistance, and gel content in all blend ratios compared to similar vulcanized blends with Dicup without HVA-2 addition. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs of the blends support that the cross-linking and compatibilization occur during the process of the vulcanized blend containing HVA-2. In the case of crystallinity of the blends, the addition of HVA-2 in Dicup vulcanized blend revealed a tendency for the percentage of crystallinity (Xc) to decrease. The addition of HVA-2 in Dicup vulcanization also produced blends with good thermal stability dealing with the so-called coagent bridge formation.     

Improvement of Physicochemical Properties of Rubber Blends Between Nonirradiated and Irradiated Rubber Latexes by Radiation Vulcanization

Abstract

Nonirradiated natural rubber latex (NRL) and irradiated (12 kGy) rubber latex were blended in ratios of 100:0, 85:15, 65:35, 50:50, 35:65, 15:85, and 0:100 (v/v) to improve properties of the rubber latex. The blends were irradiated using different irradiation doses (0–20 kGy) in the presence of a radiation vulcanization accelerator (RVA), normal butyl acrylate (n-BA). The physicochemical properties of the nonirradiated latex, irradiated latex, and blend films were determined after leaching with distilled water. It was observed that the tensile strengths of the blend films increases with an increase in the content of the irradiated proportion and radiation doses. The composition of the blends and the doses of radiation were optimized. The maximum tensile strength (31.41 MPa) was found for the 50:50 composition of the blend with a 5 kGy radiation dose. The 100:0 blends, when irradiated, give the highest tensile strength (27.69 MPa) with 12 kGy but a 15:85 nonirradiated blend gives the tensile strength of 26.18 MPa.     

Optimized processing conditions for the preparation of dynamically vulcanized EPDM/PP thermoplastic elastomers containing PP resins of various melt indexes

We have investigated the mechanical and morphological properties of un‐vulcanized and dynamically vulcanized ethylene propylene diene terpolymer/polypropylene (EPDM/PP) thermoplastic elastomers prepared under various processing conditions and possessing various compositions. After melt‐blending EPDM and PP resins twice in a twin‐screw extruder, the values of tensile strength (σ_f) of the un‐vulcanized EPDM/PP samples were at most equal to that of the pure EPDM specimen, but were much lower than those of the pure PP specimens. The elongations at break (ε_f) of the un‐vulcanized EPDM/PP samples were, however, dramatically higher than those of their respective virgin PP resins, and they improved significantly upon increasing the shear viscosity (η_s) of the PP resins. The tensile properties of the dynamically vulcanized EPDM/PP samples were significantly better than those of the corresponding un‐vulcanized EPDM/PP specimens. Similar to the behavior of the un‐vulcanized EPDM/PP specimens, the tensile properties of the dynamically vulcanized EPDM/PP specimens were optimized when prepared at a screw rate of 115 rpm. Morphological analysis revealed that the un‐vulcanized and dynamically vulcanized EPDM/PP specimens both featured many EPDM domains finely dispersed in continuous PP matrices. Such domains were present on the surfaces of the dynamically vulcanized EPDM/PP specimens; the relative sizes of the vulcanized EPDM domains were minimized when the vulcanized EPDM/PP specimens were prepared at the optimal screw rate (115 rpm). In fact, under these conditions, the average sizes of the vulcanized EPDM domains decreased upon increasing the values of η_s of the PP resins used to prepare the vulcanized EPDM/PP specimens. To understand these interesting tensile and morphological properties of the un‐vulcanized and dynamically vulcanized EPDM/PP specimens, we measured the rheological properties of the base polymers and performed energy‐dispersive x‐ray (EDX) analyzes of the compositions of the un‐vulcanized and dynamically vulcanized EPDM/PP specimens. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Study on the morphology,static and dynamic mechanical properties of (styrene butadiene rubber/ethylene propylene diene monomer/organoclay) nanocomposites vulcanized by the gamma radiation

Blends of styrene‐butadiene rubber/ethylene–propylene‐diene monomer (SBR/EPDM) with and without organoclay (OC) were prepared by melt mixing method. Then the samples were vulcanized by gamma radiation in comparison to conventional sulfur curing system. Characterization by X‐ray diffraction analysis, atomic force microscopy, and Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the intercalation structure and good dispersion of the OC in prepared nanocomposites. In addition to this, by increasing the absorbed dose of radiation and using OC, reduction in solvent uptake, increase in crosslink density and improvement of mechanical and dynamic–mechanical properties were observed. Comparison of the tensile strength of irradiated nanocomposite with the sulfur cured one's displayed the synergistic effect of the OC and gamma radiation on tensile properties of SBR/EPDM blend. Mooney–Rivlin plot confirmed the increase in crosslink density and interaction between rubbers due to presence of OC and increasing absorbed dose. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43581.     

Novel peroxide‐vulcanized NBR‐PAni.DBSA blends,part 2: Effects of conductive filler particles alignment

Dicumyl peroxide (DCP) vulcanized poly(butadiene‐co‐acrylonitrile)‐polyaniline dodecylbenzenesulfonate [NBR‐PAni.DBSA] blends were successfully prepared by using the practical thermomechanical mixing method. The effect of alignment of PAni.DBSA particles on the mechanical and electrical properties of vulcanized blends was studied (by passing the blends through a two roll‐mills). All vulcanized blends strained parallel to the flow direction when passed through the two roll‐mills had their electrical conductivities enhanced with increasing strain in tension. Good historical memory in term of the electrical conductivities during three cycles of straining (with 300 times of strain loading and unloading motion for each cycle) was observed for all vulcanized blends (99% retention of original value before straining). These vulcanized blends also showed better mechanical properties (i.e., higher tensile strength and tear strength) than the ones strained perpendicularly to the flow direction. With the ideal mechanical properties and reversible electrical behavior, this type of blend can potentially emerge as a new class of flexible smart material. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Novel dynamic vulcanization of polyethylene and ozonolysed natural rubber blends: Effect of curing system and blending ratio

Dynamic vulcanization was studied in terms of the change in α‐relaxation temperatures of the LDPE matrix, morphology, and mechanical properties of LDPE/ozonolysed NR blends which were vulcanized at various blend ratios and with different curing systems, i.e., peroxide and sulfur systems. The ozonolysed NR with M _w = 8.30 × 10⁵ g mol⁻¹ and M _n = 2.62 × 10⁵ g mol⁻¹, prepared by the in situ ozonolysis reaction of natural rubber latex, was used in this study. The significant change in the α‐relaxation temperature of LDPE in the LDPE/ozonolysed NR, dynamically vulcanized using the sulfur system, suggested that sulfur vulcanization of the blend gave a higher degree of crosslink density than using peroxide and corresponded with the improved damping property and homogenous phase morphology. However, the peroxide cured blends of LDPE/ozonolyzed NR gave more improvement of tensile strength and elongation at break than the sulfur cured system. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of tensile strength, elongation at break, and damping were improved by increasing the ozonolyzed natural rubber content in both DCP and sulfur cured blends. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Studies on mechanical and morphological behavior of hybrid nanoclay‐reinforced EPDM‐g‐TMEVS/PS blends

A new copolymer of tris(2‐methoxyethoxy) vinylsilane (TMEVS)‐grafted ethylene–propylene–diene elastomer (EPDM‐g‐TMEVS) has been developed by grafting of TMEVS onto EPDM by using dicumylperoxide (DCP) initiator. The linear polystyrene blends (EPDM‐g‐TMEVS/PS) based on EPDM‐g‐TMEVS have been synthesized with varying weight percentages of polystyrene in a twin‐screw extruder. In a similar manner, the dynamically vulcanized and nanoclay‐reinforced polystyrene blends have also been developed using DCP and organically modified montmorillonite clay separately by means of a twin‐screw extruder. The grafting of TMEVS onto EPDM at allylic position present in the third monomer of EPDM has been confirmed by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy. The effect of silane‐grafted EPDM and concentration of nanoclay on mechanical properties of polystyrene blends has been studied as per ASTM standards. The morphological behavior of these blends has been investigated using scanning electron microscope. It was observed that the incorporation of silane‐grafted EPDM enhanced the impact strength and the percentage elongation of linear‐ and dynamically vulcanized blends. However, the values of tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and hardness of the blends were found to be decreasing with the increase of silane‐grafted EPDM. In the case of nanoclay‐reinforced polystyrene blends, the values of impact strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and hardness were increased with an increase in the concentration of nanoclay. XRD studies have been carried out to confirm the formation of nanoclay‐reinforced EPDM‐g‐TMEVS/PS blends. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Speciality polymer blends of polyurethane elastomers and chlorinated polyethylene rubber (peroxide cure)

Two elastomers having polar reactive functional groups may react with each other upon heating. Considering this view, blends of polyurethane (AU) and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) elastomer have been prepared where better performance properties can be obtained through interchain crosslinking reaction. The entire study was carried out using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as a curing agent where both the phases were vulcanized to form new materials. The state of cure gradually increased with the addition of CPE. Hardness, modulus and tensile strength were also increased with increase of CPE content. The elongation at break decreased with higher amount of CPE. After ageing, hardness increased but the modulus and tensile strength decreased. There was drastic change in elongation at break on ageing. IR spectra suggested that interchain crosslinking occurred between AU and CPE elastomers. High temperature DSC studies also revealed the improvement of thermal stability with the addition of CPE. SEM study also suggested interphase crosslinking. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of some curatives on the properties of ethylene propylene diene rubber/polyethylene blends

A series of ethylene propylene diene rubber/polyethylene (EPDM/PE) blends has been prepared containing different weight fractions of PE up to 0.66. The blends were vulcanized with a sulphur system N-cyclohexyl-2-benzthiazol sulphenamide/sulphur (CBS/S), and a non-sulphur-system dicumyl peroxide (DCUP). The concentration of the latter has been changed from 1.5 phr up to 6 phr calculated on the total weight of the blend composition. It has been found that the maximum torque obtained from rheographs for blends vulcanized with the CBS/S system decreases markedly with increasing PE concentration in comparison with those vulcanized with peroxide. The E modulus obtained from the stress–strain diagram at 110 °C showed the role played by the crosslinking of PE, the E modulus for blends vulcanized by peroxide being higher than for samples vulcanized with CBS/S. In contrast, the values of E modulus of both samples are practically the same at room temperature and attain more than 40 MPa depending on the composition. The tensile strength at room temperature strongly increases with increasing the weight fraction of PE. It has also been confirmed that the melting point of the crystalline phase of PE decreases with increasing crosslinking density of PE. The shear modulus obtained from dynamic mechanical measurements is in accordance with that obtained from static mechanical measurements. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of dynamic vulcanization on the physical,mechanical, and morphological properties of high‐density polyethylene/(natural rubber)/(thermoplastic tapioca starch) blends

Blending of high density polyethylene (HDPE), natural rubber (NR), and thermoplastic tapioca starch (TPS) have been studied. Two series of samples having 5–30 wt% of TPS were prepared: (a) unvulcanized blends (control) and (b) dynamically vulcanized HDPE/NR/TPS blends. The composition of the HDPE/NR was constant and fixed at a blend ratio of 70/30. Morphology studies by SEM showed that the TPS particles were homogeneously dispersed and well‐embedded in vulcanized HDPE/NR matrix. The SEM micrographs showed agreement with the tensile strength and elongation at break values. Tensile strength improved significanly when the HDPE/NR/TPS blends were vulcanized by using sulfur curative system. The enhancement in tensile properties is attributed to the crosslinking reaction within the NR phase. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 18:192–197, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Alternating tangent approach for the optimal vulcanization of 2D‐3D EPM/EPDM thick elements

The main problem in industrial practice when dealing with the curing process of thick EPM/EPDM elements is constituted by the different temperatures, which undergo internal (cooler) and external regions. Indeed, while internal layers remain essentially under‐vulcanized, external coating is always over‐vulcanized, resulting in an overall average tensile strength insufficient to permit the utilization of the items in several applications where it is required a certain level of performance. A possibility to improve rubber output mechanical properties is the utilization of mixtures of at least two peroxides, the first highly active at high temperatures (i.e., for external layers), the second at low temperatures (internal regions). In this framework, in this article, a simple numerical procedure for the optimization of final mechanical properties of vulcanized 2D and 3D thick rubber items is presented. In particular, a so called alternating tangent approach (AT) for the determination of the optimal input parameters to use during the production of complex 2D/3D thick items is presented. Vulcanization external temperature T_c and rubber exposition time t are assumed as input production parameters, whereas output mechanical property to optimize is represented by the average tensile strength of the item. In the algorithm, a sufficiently large interval of exposition times at fixed T_c (or curing temperatures at fixed exposition times) is chosen at the initial iteration, namely evaluating rubber tensile strength at a very under‐vulcanized and at a very over‐vulcanized exposition time. For each extreme of the interval, first derivatives of final tensile strength with respect to exposition time (or curing temperature) are evaluated numerically. At the successive iteration, search exposition interval is reduced to one‐half through bisection, selecting the right or left semi‐interval basing the choice on first derivative sign evaluated at the middle point. The approach proposed converges very quickly to the optimal solution, competing favorably both with a very expensive method based on the subdivision of the domain in a refined grid of points and with recently presented GA approaches. Two meaningful examples of engineering interest, consisting of an high voltage electric cable and a 3D thick rubber docks bumper are illustrated. When dealing with the 3D item, due to its thickness, different mixtures of two peroxides (50%‐50%, 25%‐75% and 75%‐25% molar ratios) are also used to improve drastically final mechanical properties. Optimal production T_c and t parameters are obtained for all the cases analyzed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Mechanical,thermal, and morphological characteristics of compatibilized and dynamically vulcanized polyoxymethylene/ethylene propylene diene terpolymer blends

Dynamically vulcanized blends of polyoxymethylene (POM) and ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) with and without compatibilizer were prepared by melt mixing in a twin screw extruder. Maleic anhydride (MAH) grafted EPDM (EPDM‐g‐MAH) has been used as a compatibilizer. Dicumyl peroxide was used for vulcanizing the elastomer phase in the blends. Mechanical, dynamical mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of the blend systems have been investigated as a function of blend composition and compatibilizer content. The impact strength of both dynamically vulcanized blends and compatibilized/dynamically vulcanized blends increases with increase in elastomer content with decrease in tensile strength. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows decrease in tanδ values as the elastomer and compatibilizer content increased. Thermograms obtained from differential scanning calorimetric studies reveal that compatibilized blends have lower T_m values compared to dynamically vulcanized blends, which confirms strong interaction between the plastic and elastomer phase. Scanning electron microscopic observations on impact fractured surface indicate reduction in particle size of elastomer phase and its high level of dispersion in the POM matrix. In the case of compatibilized blends high degree of interaction between the component polymers has been observed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:934–942, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

New insights into the relationship between network structure and strain-induced crystallization in un-vulcanized and vulcanized natural rubber by synchrotron X-ray diffraction

The relationship between the network structure and strain-induced crystallization in un-vulcanized as well as vulcanized natural rubbers (NR) and synthetic poly-isoprene rubbers (IR) was investigated via synchrotron wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) technique. It was found that the presence of a naturally occurring network structure formed by natural components in un-vulcanized NR significantly facilitates strain-induced crystallization and enhances modulus and tensile strength. The stress-strain relation in vulcanized NR is due to the combined effect of chemical and naturally occurring networks. The weakness of naturally occurring network against stress and temperature suggests that vulcanized NR has additional relaxation mechanism due to naturally occurring network. The superior mechanical properties in NR compared with IR are mainly due to the existence of naturally occurring network structure.     

Mechanical properties and microstructure of acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber vulcanizates reinforced by in situ polymerized phenolic resin

The phenolic resin (PF) was incorporated into acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) vulcanizates by in situ polymerization during the vulcanization process. It was found that the tensile strength, tearing strength, and tensile strength (300% elongation) could be considerably enhanced 59.4, 80.2, and 126.4%, respectively, at an optimum PF content of only 15 phr, but the elongation at break and shore A hardness were only slightly affected on the basis of silica‐reinforced NBR vulcanizates. A systematic study of the PF structure formed within the NBR matrix using various experimental schemes and procedures has revealed that the PF resin would form the localized discontinuous three‐dimensional interconnected network structures in the NBR matrix. The substantial reinforcement of PF on the mechanical properties of vulcanized NBR were attributed to the morphology, high flexibility, and moderate stiffness of the PF phases and their excellent bonding with rubbers through “rubber to rubber” and interface layer. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Improving Thermal Stability and Electrical Insulation of Gamma‐Irradiated Silicone Rubber Nanocomposites

Room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTVSR) nanocomposites were prepared by mixing of surface‐modified montmorillonite nanoclay or nano fumed silica, or both of them with RTVSR to improve thermal stability, electrical insulation, and flame retardant. Their tensile strength, elongation, swelling, and solubility properties at different doses of gamma radiation were investigated to study the effect of gamma radiation on the properties of the nanocomposites. The thermal stability, flammability properties, and volume resistivity of the nanocomposites were also investigated. The nanocomposite which containing fumed silica has the best thermal, mechanical properties, electrical insulation and fire retardancy. The thermal characteristics, namely, T_onset, T_10%, T_comp, and T_max, of the nanocomposite sample containing fumed silica were 22, 23, 13, and 11 °C higher than those of the blank, respectively. The tensile strength (TS) increased when the radiation dose was increased up to 100 kGy, but elongation, swelling, and solubility decreased when the radiation dose was increased up to 150 kGy. It can be generally concluded that the nanocomposites containing fumed silica and irradiated to 100 kGy are characterized by having outstanding mechanical, thermal, fire retardant, and electrical insulation properties and hence, they may have wide industrial applications as good thermal and electrical insulating materials. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 26:354–361, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical properties of deproteinized natural rubber in comparison with synthetic cis‐1, 4 polyisoprene vulcanizates: Gum and black‐filled vulcanizates

Gum and black‐filled vulcanizates having various crosslink densities were prepared from 2 types of rubber, namely, deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR) and synthetic cis‐1, 4 polyisoprene vulcanizates (IR). Their mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, tear strength, abrasion loss, and heat buildup resistance, at various crosslink densities as well as at similar optimum crosslink density were compared. For both gum and black‐filled systems, IR possessed a higher crosslink density than that of DPNR at a fixed curative content. Tensile and tear strength of all vulcanizates passed through a maximum with increasing crosslink density. For gum vulcanizates, tensile and tear strengths of DPNR and IR below the maximum were not much different. However, IR had a narrower tear strength peak relative to DPNR. At a comparable optimum crosslink density, DPNR exhibited higher tensile strength and crack growth resistance than IR. For black‐filled vulcanizates, tensile and tear strengths, and heat buildup resistance of DPNR and IR at a given crosslink density were similar. The results revealed that the properties of gum samples were more dependent upon crosslink density than the black‐filled ones because the reinforcement by carbon black overshadowed the intrinsic properties of the rubbers. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1139–1144, 2005     

硫化温度对NR高温下拉伸／撕裂性能的影响

采用74个不同的硫化温度硫化NR,并测试其高温下拉伸／撕裂性能、交联密度和炭黑分散情况。结果表明：随测试温度的提高,NR的拉伸强度和撕裂强度均呈现逐渐下降的趋势,且在同-测试温度下,硫化胶的拉伸强度随着硫化温度的升高而逐渐降低;在测试温度小于100℃时,硫化胶的撕裂强度随硫化温度的升高而逐渐升高,测试温度大于100℃时,硫化胶的撕裂强度随硫化温度的升高而逐渐降低。     

Effects of the degree of crosslinking and test rate on the tensile properties of a crosslinked polyacrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive and vulcanized rubber

The effects of the tensile test rate on the properties of a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) and of vulcanized rubber were ascertained and compared, using a poly(n-butyl acrylate-acrylic acid) random copolymer with varying degrees of crosslinking as the PSA. The 100% modulus of the PSA was found to increase along with the crosslinking degree and with faster tensile test rates. In contrast, the 100% modulus of the vulcanized rubber did not exhibit any test rate dependence. To assess this effect, the molecular weights between chemical and physical crosslinking points were determined via equilibrium swelling, dynamic mechanical analysis, and tensile tests. The proportion of physical crosslinking points was found to be far larger in the crosslinked PSA. Because these entanglement points can readily disentangle in response to slow deformation, variations in the test rate only affected the PSA. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47272.     

Influences of the phenolic curative content and blend proportions on the properties of dynamically vulcanized natural rubber/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene blends

The vulcanization of natural rubber (NR)‐blended acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) was carried out with a phenolic curing agent by a melt‐mixing process. The NR compound was first prepared before blending with ABS. The effects of the phenolic curative contents (10, 15, and 20 phr) and blend proportions (NR/ABS ratio = 50 : 50, 60 : 40, and 70 : 30) on the mechanical, dynamic, thermal, and morphological properties of the vulcanized NR/ABS blends were investigated. The tensile strength and hardness of the blends increased with increasing ABS content, whereas the elongation at break decreased. The strength property resulting from the thermoplastic component and the vulcanized NR was an essential component for improving the elasticity of the blends. These blends showed a greater elastic response than the neat ABS. The thermal stability of the blends increased with increasing ABS component. Scanning electron micrographs of the blends showed a two‐phase morphology system. The vulcanized 60 : 40 NR/ABS blend with 15‐phr phenolic resin showed a uniform styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile phase dispersed in the vulcanized NR phase; it provided better dispersion between the NR and ABS phases, and this resulted in superior elastic properties. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42520.