Styrene/Acrylonitrile Graft Natural Rubber as Compatibilizer in Rubber Blends

A graft copolymer of acrylonitrile (ACN) and styrene (ST) on natural rubber (NR) was prepared by solution polymerization initiated by benzoyl peroxide. The effect of graft NR (GNR) applied as a compatibilizer for NR/nitrile rubber (NBR) blends on their mechanical and physical properties was investigated. The results revealed that the tensile properties and oil-swelling resistance of the blends increased with increasing % graft copolymer of GNR. The tensile fracture surfaces of the compatibilized NR/NBR vulcanizates attested by scanning electron microscopy indicated the improvement of interfacial adhesion between two rubber phases. Moreover, the dynamic mechanical properties of compatibilized vulcanizates were also reported.