A study of dynamic vulcanization for polyamide‐12 and chlorobutyl rubber

Polyamide‐12 and chlorobutyl rubber were blended by dynamic vulcanization in a high shear environment using curing systems based on sulfur, dithiocarbamate/ZnO, and 4,4‐methylenebiscyclohexylamine/MgO. As expected, all blends with curing agents show increased tensile strength and elongation at break in comparison to blends without curing agents. Maximum mechanical properties are obtained at relatively low levels of curing agent in all systems. Hexane extraction of the mixtures and measurement of percentage of insolubles along with the swelling index of the rubber phase confirm that a high level of cure is achieved at low levels of curing agent. Although the curatives are designed for the rubber phase, differential scanning calorimetry results indicate that both phases are affected during the dynamic vulcanization process, with polyamide‐12 showing a reduced melting temperature that is indicative of molecular weight reduction, structure changes, or reaction with the rubber phase. Scanning electron microscopy results indicate that phase size is reduced with increased blending time and level of curing agent. Rheological studies indicate that blends containing curing agents exhibit non‐Newtonian behavior to a greater extent than polyamide or nonvulcanized polyamide/chlorobutyl rubber blends. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 871–880, 2003