Grafting of Methyl Methacrylate and Styrene onto Polychloroprene Latex for Compatibilization of Polychloroprene Latex/Styrene-Acrylate Emulsion Blends

Grafting of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St) onto polychloroprene latex (CRL) was carried out successfully using emulsion polymerization. The chemical structure of the grafted copolymer was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The compatibilizing effects of the grafted polymer CRL-g-(MMA-co-St) on the CRL/styrene-acrylate emulsion (SAE) blend were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and mechanical testing. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the contained CRL-g-(MMA-co-St) blend improved significantly in comparison to those of the simple CRL/SAE blend. For the contained CRL-g-(MMA-co-St) blend, the maximum tensile strength (6.72 MPa) and the maximum elongation at break (1142.6%) were obtained when the content of SAE was 60% (occupied by the total dry weight). At the same content of SAE, the T-peel and lap shear strengths of the contact adhesive derived from the contained CRL-g-(MMA-co-St) blend were 5.3 N/mm (canvas to canvas) and 1.8 MPa (plywood to plywood), respectively. The grafted copolymer CRL-g-(MMA-co-St) showed a remarkable compatibilizing effect on the CRL/SAE blends by drastically improving their mechanical properties.     

Preparation and Properties of a Waterborne Contact Adhesive Based on Polychloroprene Latex and Styrene-Acrylate Emulsion Blend

Environmental protection and legislative pressure to eliminate the use of solvents in the adhesive industry have inspired the search for safer alternatives. In the area of contact adhesives, the waterborne route has proved to be of particular interest. Based on the synergistic effect of polychloroprene latex and styreneacrylate emulsion, a waterborne contact adhesive consisting of polychloroprene latex (PCL) and styreneacrylate emulsion (SAE) blend has been developed. In order to blend PCL with SAE easily and to accelerate the drying rate of the adhesive, boric acid was chosen for use in the PCL/SAE blend system. Effects of boric acid and SAE content on the properties of PCL/SAE blends, such as pH value, storage stability and set time, were investigated. At the same time, the effect of SAE content on the mechanical properties of PCL/SAE blend films was studied. The morphology of blend films was characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy. The adhesive performance of the waterborne contact adhesive was evaluated by peel and shear tests. The results showed that when the waterborne contact adhesive formulation contained 40 wt% styrene-acrylate emulsion (dry weight) and 1.25 wt% boric acid, it had a good shelf-stability, its set time was 5 min, and the blend film with this formulation was ductile and flexible with reasonably good tensile strength and very high elongation at break. And the blend films showed structure with a sea–island morphology. The waterborne contact adhesives derived from PCL/SAE blends were found to be comparable to the commercially available solvent-based contact adhesives. The synergistic effect of polychloroprene latex and styrene-acrylate copolymer emulsion was also discussed.     

The toughness and morphology of (chlorinated poly[vinyl chloride])/(methyl methacrylate‐butadiene‐styrene) blends

A series of methyl methacrylate‐butadiene‐styrene (MBS) graft copolymers were synthesized via seeded emulsion polymerization techniques by grafting styrene and methyl methacrylate on poly(butadiene‐co‐styrene) (SBR) particles. The chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) (CPVC)/MBS blends were obtained by melting MBS graft copolymers with CPVC resin, and the effect of the core/shell ratio of MBS graft copolymer and SBR content of CPVC/MBS blends on the mechanical properties and morphology of CPVC/MBS blends was studied. The results showed that, with the increase in the core/shell ratio, the impact strength of the blend increased and then decreased. It was found that, when the core/shell ratio was 50/50, the impact strength was about 155 J/m, and the tensile strength evidently increased. The toughness of the CPVC/MBS blend was closely related to the SBR content of the blend, and with the increasing of SBR content of blend, the impact strength of the blend increased. The morphology of CPVC/MBS blends was observed via scanning electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the toughness of CPVC/MBS blend was consistence with the dispersion of MBS graft copolymers in the CPVC matrix. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:501–505, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

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.     

Influence of PP fiber and SBR latex on the mechanical properties of crumb rubber mortar

This article presents a new kind of rubber mortar modified by polypropylene fiber (PP fiber) and styrene‐butadiene rubber latex (SBR latex). The mechanical properties of this crumb rubber mortar were investigated in the research, including the compressive strength, flexural strength, flexural toughness, and flexural elasticity modulus. The test results showed that the flexural toughness index of the rubber mortar was seen to enhance by about 50–100% with the addition of PP fiber and SBR polymer latex. Due to the addition of PP fiber and SBR latex, the flexural elastic modulus of rubber mortar could further reduce by 4–27%. The three‐phase composite dispersion model of this rubber mortar was put forward. Furthermore, it was observed from scanning electron micrograph that the interfacial transition zone between the rubber particles and cement paste was enhanced by the SBR latex, and the interleaving of polymer films and rubber particles strengthen the flexibility and toughness of the mortar. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40591.     

Film formation from pigmented latex systems: Mechanical and surface properties of ground calcium carbonate/functionalized poly(n‐butyl methacrylate‐co‐n‐butyl acrylate) latex blend films

The mechanical and surface properties of films prepared from model latex/pigment blends were studied using tensile tests, surface gloss measurements, and atomic force microscopy. Functionalized poly(n‐butyl methacrylate‐co‐n‐butyl acrylate) [P(BMA/BA)] and ground calcium carbonate (GCC) were used as latex and extender pigment particles, respectively. The critical pigment volume concentration of this pigment/latex blend system was found to be between 50 and 60 vol % as determined by surface gloss measurement and tensile testing of the blend films. As the pigment volume concentration increased in the blends, the Young's modulus of the films increased. Nielsen's equations were found to fit the experimental data very well. When the surface coverage of carboxyl groups on the latex particles was increased, the yield strength and Young's modulus of the films both increased, indicating better adhesion at the interfaces between the GCC and latex particles. When the carboxyl groups were neutralized during the film formation process, regions with reduced chain mobility were formed. These regions acted as a filler to improve the modulus of the copolymer matrix and the modulus of the resulting films. The carboxyl groups on the latex particle surfaces increased the surface smoothness of the films as determined by surface gloss measurement. When the initial stabilizer coverage of the latex particles was increased, the mechanical strength of the resulting films increased. At the same time, rougher film surfaces also were observed because of the migration of the stabilizer to the surface during film formation. With smaller‐sized latex particles, the pigment/latex blends had higher yield strength and Young's modulus. Higher film formation temperatures strengthen the resulting films and also influence their surface morphology. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4550–4560, 2006     

利用回收LDPE/PVDC复合薄膜制备共混材料的研究

以回收低密度聚乙烯/聚偏氯乙烯(LDPE/PVDC)复合薄膜为基体材料,低密度聚乙烯接枝丙烯酸(LDPE-g-AA)为相容剂,线型低密度聚乙烯(LLDPE)为改性剂,再加入液体钙-锌(Ca-Zn)热稳定剂,通过混合、挤出、注塑工艺制备共混材料。采用刚果红法分析了Ca-Zn稳定剂对复合薄膜中PVDC热稳定性能的影响,并对共混材料的力学性能、阻隔性能和微观形态进行了测试与分析。结果表明:加入1.2份Ca-Zn稳定剂后,共混材料的刚果红试纸起始变色时间和完全变色时间分别延长了67 s和354 s,起始变色温度和完全变色温度分别提高了8℃和11℃;含3%LDPE-g-AA的共混材料,PVDC嵌入LDPE材料中,相容性明显改善,其缺口冲击强度和断裂伸长率提高,吸油率下降;含20%LLDPE及3%LDPE-g-AA的共混材料,其拉伸强度为14.43 MPa、断裂伸长率为389.11%、缺口冲击强度为29.51 kJ/m2、吸油率为14.40%,力学性能和阻隔性能优良。     

The effects of latex coalescence and interfacial crosslinking on the mechanical properties of latex films

The effects of latex coalescence and interfacial crosslinking on the mechanical properties of latex films were extensively investigated by means of several series of model latexes with varying backbone polymer crosslinking density and interfacial crosslinking functional groups. It was found that the tensile strength of crosslinked model latex films increased with increasing gel content (i.e. crosslinking density) of latex backbone polymers up to about 75% and then decreased with further increase in gel, while their elongation at break steadily decreased with increasing gel content. These findings showed that latex particle coalescence was retarded above a gel content of about 75% so that the limited coalescence of latex particles containing gel contents higher than 75% prevented the tensile strength of crosslinked latex films from increasing by further crosslinking the latex backbone polymers. This was contrary to the theory of rubber elasticity that the tensile strength increases with increasing molecular weight and crosslinking density. This limitation was found to be overcome by the interfacial crosslinking among latex particles during film formation and curing. This paper will discuss the effects of both latex backbone polymer and interfacial crosslinking on latex film properties. It will also discuss the development of self-curable latex blends and structured latexes containing co-reactive groups: oxazoline and carboxylic groups.     

Segmental mobility in the vicinity of Tg in PS/SBR blends: Nanodomain size prediction of the dispersed phase

The blends of polystyrene (PS) and styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) are melt‐blended at different ratios to form physical thermoplastic elastomers. This polymeric blend is expected to behave more or less similar to chemically synthesized block copolymers such as styrene‐butadiene block copolymers (SBS). In this study, mechanical and the thermomechanical properties of this blend are investigated and compared to those of SBS copolymer. As far as morphology is considered, the blend shows a two‐phase morphology with an interface, which shows very weak interactions. According to the observed morphology and the domain size of dispersed phase the blends are of good integrity. The mechanical properties of the blends confirm the integrity of the blend and effective interface stress transfer. The tensile and Izod impact properties of the blends shows improvements upon increase in SBR content of the blend. As SBR content augments the elongation at break increases, whereas tensile dissipated energy and impact resistance go through a maximum. Therefore, blend with SBR‐content in 60–75% range can be considered as preferred one. In a wide range of concentration a phase inversion was observed and T_g‐depression was detected also for the SBR phase. This T_g‐depression was correlated to the changes in dynamics of segments (segmental mobility) near the surfaces. Using the proposed relationships between T_g‐depression and the thickness of the thin films, it was tried to calculate domain size of SBR inclusions in PS matrix. A rough correlation between SBR domain sizes in SEM images and calculated thicknesses using T_g‐depression in thin films was found. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effect of triblock copolymers on homogeneity,mechanical properties and swelling behavior of IIR/SBR rubber blends

The present research concerns with the preparation and characterization of isobutylene isoprene/butadiene–styrene rubber (IIR/SBR) blends with different blend ratios, in the presence and absence of styrene–isoprene–styrene (SIS) and styrene–isobutylene–styrene (SiBS) triblock copolymers to be tested as compatibilizers. Effect of the triblock copolymers on the blend homogeneity was investigated with the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. Characterization of the rubber blends was conducted by measuring the physico-mechanical properties after and before thermal aging, in presence and absence of the triblock copolymers. In addition, weight swell % in toluene, motor oil and brake fluid of the rubber blend vulcanizates was assessed. The incorporation of SIS and SiBS triblock copolymers improved the homogeneity of IIR/SBR blends as well as increased both tensile strength and elongation at break of the rubber blend vulcanizates. Of the entire blend ratios examined, IIR/SBR (25/75) blend containing SIS compatibilizer possessed the best physico-mechanical properties (12.6 MPa tensile strength and 425 % elongation at break) and (14 MPa tensile strength and 555 % elongation at break) after and before thermal aging, respectively. Utilization of SIS and SiBS triblock copolymers enhanced the thermal stability of IIR/SBR blend vulcanizates. Moreover, IIR/SBR blends of different blend ratios showed superior swelling resistance in the brake fluid. IIR/SBR (25/75) blend containing SIS compatibilizer and cured with CBS/ZDEC/S vulcanizing system possessed the best physico-mechanical properties (14.4 MPa tensile strength and 440 % elongation at break) and (16.5 MPa tensile strength and 610 % elongation at break) after and before thermal aging, respectively.     

PBH/PP及PBH/CaCO_3/PP共混改性研究

采用自制的负载钛催化剂[TiCl4/MgCl2-Al(i-Bu)3],合成了1-丁烯-1-己烯共聚物(PBH)。用己烯摩尔含量为2%、7%、20%的PBH对PP进行共混,研究了共混物的力学性能;以己烯初始摩尔含量为30%的PBH作为CaCO3的载体,填充PP,并与未采用载体的CaCO3填充体系进行比较。结果表明:随着PBH含量的增加,在共混物拉伸强度、弯曲强度、硬度有一定下降的同时,冲击强度则明显提高,己烯摩尔含量大的PBH增韧改性PP的效果更好;以PBH作为载体的CaCO3,随着其含量的增加,共混物的冲击强度明显增大,而拉伸强度、弯曲强度、硬度却有一定程度的下降。与无PBH载体CaCO3填充PP的规律明显不同。     

聚氯乙烯/氯乙烯-丙烯酸乙酯共聚物/高密度聚乙烯合金的制备及其性能研究

以氯乙烯-丙烯酸乙酯共聚物(VC/EA)作为聚氯乙烯(PVC)和高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)的增容剂,研究了共混物的相容性和加工性能,在此基础上研制了聚氯乙烯/氯乙烯-丙烯酸乙酯共聚物/高密度聚乙烯合金,进而研究了合金的力学性能。结果表明,合适配比的共混体系具有一定程度的相容性和良好的流动性能,明显改善了PVC的加工性能,并在保持PVC材料拉伸强度、弯曲强度等具有较高保持率的前提下,显著提高了材料抗冲性能。     

Effect of the monomer ratio on the properties of poly(methyl methacrylate butyl acrylate) latex‐modified mortars

This article deals with the effect of the monomer ratio on the typical properties of polymer‐modified mortars with poly(methyl methacrylate butyl acrylate) latices. Polymer‐modified mortars, with methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate copolymer latices of various methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate ratios, were prepared with different polymer/cement ratios and were tested for their workability, air content, compressive strength, flexural strength, and water absorption. On the basis of the test results, the effects of the monomer ratio and polymer/cement ratio on the typical properties were examined. The properties of the latex‐modified mortars were affected to a great extent by both the monomer ratio and polymer/cement ratio. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2403–2409, 2004     

Effects of reactive reinforced interface on the morphology and tensile properties of amorphous polyamide–SAN blends

The effects of reactive reinforced interface on the morphology and tensile properties of amorphous polyamide (a-PA) and styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymer blend have been investigated using styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer as a reactive compatibilizer. The anhydride groups of SMA copolymer can react with the amine groups of polyamide and form in situ graft copolymers at the a-PA–SAN interfaces during the blend preparation. The interfacial adhesion strength of the reactive reinforced interface was evaluated quantitatively using an asymmetric double cantilever beam fracture test as a function of SMA copolymer content using a model adhesive joint. The interfacial adhesion strength was found to increase with the content of SMA copolymer and then level off. The morphological observations of a-PA–SAN (80/20 w/w) blends showed that the finer dispersion of the SAN domains with rather narrow distribution was obtained by the addition of SMA copolymer into the blends. The trend of morphology change was not in accord with that of the interfacial adhesion strength with respect to the content of SMA copolymer. However, the results of tensile properties showed very similar behavior to the case of the interfacial adhesion strength with respect to SMA content; that is, there was an optimum level of the reactive compatibilizer beyond which the interfacial adhesion strength and tensile strength did not change significantly. These results clearly reveal that tensile properties of polymer blend are highly dependent on the interfacial adhesion strength. Furthermore, it is suggested that the asymmetric double cantilever beam fracture test using a model interface is a useful method to quantify the adhesion strength between the phases in real polymer blends. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 68: 1925–1933, 1998     

Mechanical properties of PVC/SBR blends compatibilized by acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber and covulcanization

The mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) blends compatibilized by acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) were studied. A sulfur curing system was employed to crosslink the rubber of the blends. In the case of the blends without any curing agents, an increase in NBR content did not improve the tensile strength and elongation-at-break. However, a significant improvement in the mechanical properties was observed when NBR was added as a compatibilizer and the blend was vulcanized. In the PVC/NBR/SBR (50/10/40) blends, the tensile strength and elongation-at-break increased with an increase in sulfur concentration. This improvement was attributed to covulcanization between NBR and SBR. The fracture toughness of PVC/NBR/SBR (50/10/40) blends was characterized by the critical strain energy release rate, G_c. In the case of the PVC/NBR-29/SBR (50/10/40) blends, an increase in sulfur concentration resulted in a dramatic increase in G_c. However, the G_c value of PVC/NBR-40/SBR (50/10/40) blends decreased with an increase in sulfur concentration owing to the brittle behavior of one of the blend components—the PVC/NBR-40 (50/10) phase.     

Mechanical properties of polymer-modified lightweight aggregate concrete

This paper deals with the properties of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)-modified lightweight aggregate concretes (LWACs) for thin precast components, made with two Brazilian lightweight aggregates (LWAs). Properties in the fresh state, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and water absorption of LWACs were tested. The 7-day compressive strength and the dry concrete density vary from 39.7 to 51.9 MPa and from 1460 to 1605 kg/m³, respectively. The inclusion of SBR latex in LWACs decreases the water-(cement+silica fume) [W/(C+S)] ratio and water absorption and increases the splitting tensile and flexural strengths. The results of this pilot study suggest that there are possibilities of producing thin precast components using SBR-modified LWACs with Brazilian LWAs.     

Studies on polymer blends: Blending methods for natural rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber

The relations between the properties and the blend ratios of natural rubber (NR) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) blends were studied in comparison with four blending methods. The relations between the properties of unvulcanized and vulcanized blends and the blend ratios of blends prepared by means of solution blending, latex blending, roll blending, and Banbury mixer blending were studied. In practice, such rubber blending methods as roll blending are more effective for obtaining uniform blends than Banbury mixer blending the latter. In roll blending, it is more effective to blend NR and SBR by way of a master-batch in which the ingredients are compounded beforehand than to blend raw rubber. In solution and latex blending, very uniform blends are easily obtained. It was found, however, that the properties of NR/SBR blends prepared carefully showed a direct relation to their blend ratios, regardless of blending method used.     

Mechanical properties and morphology of crosslinked PP/PE blends and PP/PE/propylene–ethylene copolymer blends

Blending is an effective method for improving polymer properties. However, the problem of phase separation often occurs due to incompatibility of homopolymers, which deteriorates the physical properties of polyblends. In this study, isotactic polypropylene was blended with low-density polyethylene. Crosslinking agent and copolymers of propylene and ethylene (either random copolymer or block copolymer) were added to improve the interfacial adhesion of PP/LDPE blends. The tensile strength, heat deflection temperature, and impact strength of these modified PP/PE blends were investigated. The microstructures of polyblends have been studied to interpret the mechanical behavior through dynamic viscoelasticity, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, picnometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The properties of crosslinked PP/PE blends were determined by the content of crosslinking agent and processing method. For the material blended by roll, a 2% concentration of peroxide corresponded to a maximum tensile strength and minimum impact strength. However, the mechanical strength of those products blended by extrusion monotonously decreased with increasing peroxide content because of serious degradation. The interfacial adhesion of PP/PE blends could be enhanced by adding random or block copolymer of propylene and ethylene, and the impact strength as well as ductility were greatly improved. Experimental data showed that the impact strength of PP/LDPE/random copolymer ternary blend could reach as high as 33.3 kg · cm/cm; however, its rigidity and tensile strength were inferior to those of PP/LDPE/block copolymer blend.     

Film formation from pigmented latex systems: Drying kinetics and bulk morphologies of ground calcium carbonate/functionalized poly(n‐butyl methacrylate‐co‐n‐butyl acrylate) blend films

The drying kinetics and bulk morphology of pigmented latex films obtained from poly(n‐butyl methacrylate‐co‐n‐butyl acrylate) latex particles functionalized with carboxyl groups and ground calcium carbonate blends were studied. Latex/pigment blends with higher carboxyl group coverage on the latex particle surfaces dried faster than films with few or no carboxyl groups present. The latex/pigment dispersions also dried faster when there was more stabilizer present in the blend system because of the hydrophilic nature of the stabilizer. The net effect of increasing the pigment volume concentration in the blend system was to shorten the drying time. The bulk morphologies of the freeze‐fractured surfaces of the pigmented latex films were studied with scanning electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that increased surface coverage of carboxyl groups on the latex particles in the latex/pigment blends resulted in the formation of smaller pigment aggregates with a more uniform size distribution in the blend films. In addition, the use of smaller latex particles in the blends reduced the ground calcium carbonate pigment aggregate size in the resulting films. Scanning electron microscopy analysis also showed that when the initial stabilizer coverage on the latex particles was equal to 18%, smaller aggregates of ground calcium carbonate were distributed within the copolymer matrix of the blend films in comparison with the cases for which the initial stabilizer coverage on the latex particles was 8 or 36%. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2267–2277, 2006     

Weld lines and mechanical properties of injection molded polyethylene/polystyrene/copolymer blends

In this article, we investigate the effect of weld lines on the tensile mechanical properties of unmodified and copolymer modified high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene (PS) blends. The homopolymers were melt blended in the proportion of 20 wt% HDPE and 80 wt% PS using a twin screw extruder at a temperature of 200°C. The results show that the mechanical properties are generally lower when weld lines are present. The decrease of the mechanical properties is much more pronounced for the blends. The addition of small amounts of a commercial styrene/butadiene copolymer significantly improves the strength and the elongation at break of this blend. An optimum copolymer concentration was observed at 3 wt%. This value coincides with the interphase saturation concentration of the copolymer obtained from the analysis of the DMTA (dynamic mechanical and thermal) properties of the blends. The copolymer was also found to induce important changes in the morphology of the blend. The interdiffusion of the polymer fronts in the weld region was also improved by the presence of the copolymer. It is believed that these two aspects contribute to the enhanced properties obtained with copolymer modified blends in presence of weld lines. An important effect of the injection temperature on the tensile strength and the elongation at break of welded samples with copolymer modified blends was observed. The effect of mold temperature on these properties was less important mainly at low injection temperatures. Only a slight effect of these two parameters was observed for the tensile modulus in the range of mold and injection temperatures considered in this study.