Mechanical and aging properties of cross‐linked ethylene propylene diene rubber / styrene butadiene rubber blends

The mechanical properties and aging characteristics of blends of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) were investigated with special reference to the effect of blend ratio and cross‐linking systems. Among the blends, the one with 80/20 EPDM/SBR has been found to exhibit the highest tensile, tear, and abrasion properties at ambient temperature. The observed changes in the mechanical properties of the blends have been correlated with the phase morphology, as attested by scanning electron micrographs (SEMs). The effects of three different cure systems, namely, sulfur (S), dicumyl peroxide (DCP), and a mixed system consisting of sulfur and peroxide (mixed) on the blend properties also were studied. The stress‐strain behavior, tensile strength, elongation at break, and tear strength of the blends were found to be better for the mixed system. The influence of fillers such as high‐abrasion furnace (HAF) black, general‐purpose furnace (GPF) black, silica, and clay on the mechanical properties of 90/10 EPDM/SBR blend was examined. The ozone and water aging studies also were conducted on the sulfur cured blends, to supplement the results from the mechanical properties investigation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2606–2621, 2004     

Ageing studies of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber/styrene butadiene rubber blends: Effects of heat,ozone, gamma radiation,and water

The ageing behavior due to the effects of heat, ozone, γ‐ radiation, and water on ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber/styrene butadiene rubber (EPDM/SBR) blends was studied. The tensile strength, crack initiation, ozone ageing, gamma radiation, and water resistance of the blends were measured and used to determine the extent of ageing. Tensile strength of blends of different compositions increased after thermal ageing for 96 h at 100°C probably due to the continued cross‐linking. It has been observed that an increase in EPDM in the blends improves the ozone resistance of the blends. Crack initiation was noted only in blends with lesser amount of EPDM and the cracks in such blends were found deeper, wider and continuous. With 15 kGy irradiation dose, the tensile strength of the blends found to be decreased while it increased with 80 kGy dosage of γ‐radiation. The elongation at break showed a decreasing trend with increased dosage of γ‐radiation. It has also been observed that the EPDM rich blends showed negligible water uptake. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Development of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles reinforced chlorinated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber/chlorinated ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber blends

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA) reinforced polymer blend based on chlorinated nitrile rubber (Cl-NBR) and chlorinated ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (Cl-EPDM) were prepared. Resulting blend composites were analyzed with regard to their rheometric processing, crystallinity, glass transition temperature (T_g), mechanical properties, oil resistance, AC conductivity, and transport behavior. The decrease in optimum cure time with the addition of HA is more advantageous for the development of products from these blend nanocomposites. The XRD, FTIR, and SEM confirmed the attachment and uniform dispersion of HA nanoparticles in the Cl-NBR/Cl-EPDM blend. The good compatibility between polymer blend and nanoparticles was also deduced by the formation of spherically shaped HA particles in the blend matrix determined by TEM analysis. DSC analysis showed an increase in T_g of the blend with the filler loading. The addition of HA particles to the blend produced a remarkable increase in tensile and tear strength, hardness, AC conductivity, abrasion, and oil resistance. The diffusion of blend composites was decreased with an increase in penetrant size. The diffusion mechanism was found to follow an anomalous trend. Among the blend composites, the sample with 7 phr of HA not only showed good oil and solvent resistance but also a remarkable increase in AC conductivity and mechanical properties.     

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.     

超细全硫化粉末丁苯橡胶/三元乙丙橡胶共混物的结构与性能

制备了超细全硫化粉末丁苯橡胶(UFPSBR)/三元乙丙橡胶(EPDM)共混物,研究了其硫化特性、相态结构、动态力学性能及物理机械性能。透射电镜观察表明,无论UFPSBR与EPDM共混比如何,UFPSBR粒子始终保持为分散相。当UFPSBR用量为10份(质量)时,它在EPDM中的分散相尺寸为200 nm左右;用量较高时其分散相尺寸较大,存在大量的聚集体。动态力学分析结果显示共混物存在2个玻璃化转变温度,说明共混物存在两相结构。加工性能分析结果表明,UFPSBR粒子在EPDM基质中形成了网络结构,对EPDM基质起到了较好的增强作用,当UFPSBR与EPDM的质量共混比为50/50时,共混物的拉伸强度可达13.4 MPa。UFPSBR对EPDM的硫化特性有明显影响。     

Study on isotactic polypropylene/zinc‐neutralized sulfonated ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber/CaCO3 ternary blends

The morphological structure and mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene (PP)/zinc‐neutralized sulfonated ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (Zn? SEPDM)/CaCO₃ blends were studied. PP/Zn? SEPDM/CaCO₃ blends were prepared through two different sequences. A: Blending PP with Zn? SEPDM, then adding CaCO₃; B: Blending Zn? SEPDM with CaCO₃, then adding PP. The blending sequence has substantial influence on the mechanical properties. SEM micrographs and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometry indicate that the CaCO₃ filler is encapsulated by Zn? SEPDM in those blends prepared through sequence B, which caused an extra increase of impact strength. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1635–1640, 2004     

Electron beam irradiation of sulphur vulcanised ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) nanocomposites reinforced by halloysite nanotubes

Abstract

Modification of the tensile, thermomechanical, morphological and Fourier transform infrared properties of sulphur vulcanised ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) nanocomposites filled with 0, 10, 30 and 100 parts per hundred rubber (phr) of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) by electron beam (EB) irradiation in the presence of cross-link promoter trimethylolpropane triacrylate has been studied. The EB irradiation dosages of 0, 50, 100 and 150 kGy were applied on the EPDM/HNT nanocomposites after sulphur cross-linking. The tensile strength of the EPDM/HNT nanocomposites at low (<30 phr) and high (100 phr) HNT loadings increased and decreased respectively while the elongation at break decreased after applying EB irradiation.     

Structural,rheological, and mechanical properties of PA6/SAN/SEBS ternary blend/organoclay nanocomposites

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nanoclay addition on the morphological and mechanical properties of PA6/SAN/SEBS ternary blend. Two different nanoclays with different modifiers and two different mixing sequences were used to investigate the role of thermodynamic and kinetic, respectively, in the nanoclays localization. XRD, SEM, TEM, melt rheology, tensile and Izod impact tests were used to characterize the nanocomposites. Results of characterization of nanocomposites showed that clay localization is a very influential parameter to determine the type of morphology and, consequently, mechanical properties of ternary/clay nanocomposites. It was demonstrated that presence of nanoclay in the matrix results in the increase of stiffness, while localization of nanoclay at the interface improves the toughness and tensile strength. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41969.     

Natural rubber/ethylene propylene diene blends for high insulation iron crossarms

This research studied the composition and behavior of natural rubber (NR) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) blends at various carbon black concentrations (0–30 phr) in terms of electrical resistivity, dielectric breakdown voltage testing, and physical properties. The blends having electrical properties suitable for application in high‐insulation iron crossarms were selected for investigation of compatibility and increased physical properties. The effect of the homogenizing agent concentration on improvement of compatibility of blends was studied by scanning electron microscopy, pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and rheology techniques. We also examined mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tear strength, elongation at break, and hardness. The NR/EPDM blends filled with a fixed concentration of silica were investigated for ozone resistance. A carbon black content as high as 10 phr is still suitable for the insulation coating material, which can withstand electrical voltage at 10 kVac. Addition of the homogenizing agent at 5 phr can improve the mechanical compatibility of blends, as evidenced by the positive deviation of shear viscosity of the rubber blend, that is, the calculated shear viscosity being higher than that of experimental data. Moreover, the pulsed NMR results indicated that the spin‐spin relaxation (T₂) of all three components of the rubber blend was compressed upon the addition of the homogenizing agent. The ratio of NR/EPDM in the blend to best resist the ozone gas is 80/20 with the addition of silica of 30 phr into the blend. Also, the NR/EPDM filled with silica had a decreased change in thermal and mechanical properties of blends after thermal aging. The synergistic effect of silica content and high NR content (80) in 20 phr EPDM could improve antioxidation by ozone in the absence of a normal antioxidant for natural rubber. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3401–3416, 2004     

Graft copolymerization of acrylic acid on to styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) to improve morphology and mechanical properties of SBR/polyurethane blend

Graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) on to styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) is carried out via free radical polymerization using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator. Graft yield (GY) and graft efficiency (GE) measurements reveal that the optimum grafting is achieved when 100 wt % of AA and 3 wt % of BPO are used for a reaction time of 6 h at 60 °C. The execution of the grafting process is confirmed through ATR‐IR spectroscopy and DMTA analysis. Tan δ thermograms indicate that the graft copolymerization occurs in the styrene segments of the SBR backbone. An in situ polymerized, semicrystalline polyurethane (PU) is then used to prepare a series of SBR‐g‐PAA/PU blends. It is found that the SBR‐g‐PAA with the highest GY exhibits the best compatibility with PU matrix. One‐phase morphology (SEM), as well as the appearance of only one glass transition (DMTA) verify the homogeneous miscibility of the modified blend compositions. Moreover, the integration of PUs crystalline structure into blends gives rise to elongation‐induced crystallinity as the prominent phenomenon in tensile testing, which proves to synchronously enhance tensile strength, modulus, elongation at break, and toughness. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43699.     

Microwave absorption performance of nitrile butadiene rubber/ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

In recent times, there is an increasing need for effective control of electromagnetic pollution, which can avoid excessive radiation effects on the human body. Microwave absorption materials are attracting wide research interests to reduce electromagnetic pollution due to the rapid development of electronic equipment. In this study, Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)/ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) were mixed with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to prepare microwave absorbing materials. The distribution of fillers, AC conductivity, complex permittivity, and microwave absorption performance of the composites were systematically investigated. It found that the AC conductivity, both real and imaginary parts of the permittivity were significantly improved in the composite with the increasing ratio of MWCNT contents. The NBR/EPDM/MWCNT composites with eight parts per hundred concerning with rubber (phr) MWCNT had a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of −48.1 dB at the optimum thickness of 2.07 mm. Importantly, the adding sequence of MWCNT and plasticizer dioctyl phthalate (DOP) to the rubber matrix is found to play an important role in determining the distribution of fillers and the structure of polymer blends. The composite with plasticizer added before MWCNT exhibited a better impedance matching and as a result, achieved a good microwave absorption performance.     

Influence of morphology on the dynamic mechanical properties of hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene elastomer/coagent nanodispersions

Coagents are vinyl monomers that react with free radicals formed by peroxide dissociation and are either grafted to elastomer chains or homopolymerized within a segregated phase to form a crosslinked network. The initial phase distribution within the elastomer matrix is of great importance for the final user properties of a composite material. In this study, the morphology of blends of each of three different coagents, that is, zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA), N,N′‐m‐phenylene dimaleimide (HVA‐2), and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) on a reinforcing substrate with dicumyl peroxide and hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene elastomer after processing was investigated with scanning electron microscopy. The morphology that evolved during processing was then compared to the results obtained from dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of the blends. Dynamic mechanical properties were modeled with a continuous relaxation distribution function, the Williams–Landel–Ferry equation, and the modified Guth–Gold equation. In the case of ZDMA and TMPTMA, a microphase and a nanophase evolved during processing, whereas the HVA‐2 phase in the blends remained well segregated. The volume fraction of the particles under 100 nm in ZDMA and TMPTMA blends ranged from 79 to 89%. The DMA results revealed the reinforcing effect of ZDMA and TMPTMA during the glass‐transition and in the plateau region, whereas HVA‐2 exhibited plasticizer‐like behavior. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

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.     

Cure characteristics,morphology, and mechanical properties of ethylene–propylene–diene–monomer rubber/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blends

Blends based on ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber (EPDM) and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) was prepared. Sulfur was used as the vulcanizing agent. The effects of blend ratio on the cure characteristics and mechanical properties, such as stress–strain behavior, tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness, rebound resilience, and abrasion resistance have been investigated. Tensile and tear strength showed synergism for the blend containing 30% of NBR, which has been explained in terms of morphology of the blends attested by scanning electron micrographs. A relatively cocontinuous morphology was observed for 70 : 30, EPDM/NBR blend system. The experimental results have been compared with the relevant theoretical models. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Characteristics of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber/organoclay nanocomposites resulting from different processing conditions and formulations

Several parameters which affect the nanocomposite formation in a sulfur‐cured ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) containing 10 phr organoclay (montmorillonite modified with octadecylamine; MMT–ODA), were investigated. The parameters varied were linked to processing (mixer type, temperature) and rubber recipe (compatibilizer, accelerator). Increasing temperature and high shear mixing (internal mixer instead of open mill) improved the mechanical performance of the rubber nanocomposites. A more pronounced effect was achieved by using polar EPDM rubbers (maleic anhydride and glycidyl methacrylate grafted version) as compatibilizer. Among the accelerators, zinc diethyldithiocarbamate proved to be most suitable. The microstructure of the rubber/organoclay systems was studied by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Organoclay intercalation/exfoliation was accompanied by its more or less severe confinement (reaggregation, deintercalation). This was traced to a partial or full removal of the ODA intercalant from the clay galleries via the formation of a zinc complex in which amine groups of the ODA and sulfur participated. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Styrene–butadiene rubber/cellulose II/clay nanocomposites prepared by cocoagulation—mechanical properties

In this work, nanocomposites of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), cellulose II, and clay were prepared by cocoagulation of SBR latex, cellulose xanthate, and clay aqueous suspension mixtures. The incorporated amount of cellulose II was 15 phr, and the clay varied from 0 to 7 phr. The influence of cellulose II and clay was investigated by rheometric, mechanical, physicochemical, and morphological properties. From the analysis of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dispersion in nanometric scale (below 100nm) of the cellulosic and mineral components throughout the elastomeric matrix was observed. XRD analysis suggested that fully exfoliated structure could be obtained by this method when low loading of silicate layers (up to 5 phr) is used. The results from mechanical tests showed that the nanocomposites presented better mechanical properties than SBR gum vulcanizate. Furthermore, 5 phr of clay is enough to achieve the best tensile properties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Mechanical and rheological properties,and morphology of polyamide-6/organoclay/elastomer nanocomposites

The effects of ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (E-MA-GMA) terpolymer and three types of organoclays (Cloisite^® 15A, 25A, and 30B) on mechanical and rheological properties, and morphology of impact modified polyamide-6/montmorillonite ternary nanocomposites were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), parallel disk rheometry, melt flow index measurements, and tensile and impact tests. The materials were prepared by melt blending using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. XRD and TEM analyses showed that exfoliated-intercalated nanocomposites were formed in both polyamide-6/Cloisite^® 25A and Cloisite^® 30B binary nanocomposites and in ternary systems. SEM micrographs showed that rubber domain sizes were larger in the nanocomposites than in their corresponding polyamide-6/elastomer blends. Generally, tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break decreased with the addition of elastomer to polyamide-6/organoclay binary nanocomposites. In the melt state, liquid-like behavior of polyamide-6 slightly turned to pseudo solid-like in the binary and ternary nanocomposites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Thermal and mechanical properties of silicon rubber/cis‐polybutadiene rubber/ethylene–propylene–diene monomer blends

Considering the properties of silicon rubber, ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM), and cis‐polybutadiene rubber (BR), a blend made by a new method was proposed in this article; this blend had thermal resistance and good mechanical properties. The morphology of the blend was studied by SEM, and it was found that the adhesion between the phases of BR, EPDM, and polysiloxanes (silicon rubber) could be enhanced, and the compatibility and covulcanization were good. The influence of the mass ratio of peroxide and silica on the mechanical properties and thermal resistance of the blend was studied. The results showed that the mechanical properties and thermal resistance of the blend were improved when silicon rubber/BR/EPDM was 20/30/50, dicumyl peroxide/sulfur was 2.5/2.5, and the amount of silica was 80 phr. The integral properties of rubber blend had more advantages than did the three rubbers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 4462–4467, 2006     

Effect of different nanoparticles on thermal,mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber nanocomposites

Organically modified and unmodified montmorillonite clays (Cloisite NA, Cloisite 30B and Cloisite 15A), sepiolite (Pangel B20) and nanosilica (Aerosil 300) were incorporated into hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) matrix by solution process in order to study the effect of these nanofillers on thermal, mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of HNBR. It was found that on addition of only 4 phr of nanofiller to neat HNBR, the temperature at which maximum degradation took place (T_max) increased by 4 to 16°C, while the modulus at 100% elongation and the tensile strength were enhanced by almost 40–60% and 100–300% respectively, depending upon nature of the nanofiller. It was further observed that T_max was the highest in the case of nanosilica‐based nanocomposite with 4 phr of filler loading. The increment of storage modulus was highest for sepiolite‐HNBR and Cloisite 30B‐HNBR nanocomposites at 25°C, while the modulus at 100% elongation was found maximum for sepiolite‐HNBR nanocomposite at the same loading. A similar trend was observed in the case of another grade of HNBR having similar ACN content, but different diene level. The results were explained by x‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy studies. The above results were further explained with the help of thermodynamics. Effect of different filler loadings (2, 4, 6, 8, and 16 phr) on the properties of HNBR nanocomposites was further investigated. Both thermal as well as mechanical properties were found to be highest at 8 phr of filler loading. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Dynamically vulcanized polypropylene/ethylene‐propylene diene monomer/organoclay nanocomposites: Effect of mixing sequence on structural,rheological, and mechanical properties

Dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) nanocomposites based on polypropylene (PP), ethylene‐propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and cloisite 15A were prepared via direct melt mixing in a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder. The mixing process was carried out with optimized processing parameters (barrel temperature = 180°C; screw speed = 150 rpm; and feeding rate = 0.2 kg/hr). The formulation used to prepare the nanocomposites was fixed to 75/20/5 (PP/EPDM/Cloisite^©15A), expressed in mass fraction. Effect of mixing sequence on the properties of vulcanized and unvulcanized (TPE) nanocomposites prepared under similar conditions was investigated using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and a tensile testing machine. Results showed that the sequence of mixing does affect the properties of final TPE nanocomposites. Accordingly, nanocomposite samples prepared through mixing the preblended PP/clay masterbatch with EPDM phase, show better clay dispersion within the polymer matrix. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:320–325, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers