Regulation effects of trans-1, 4-poly (isoprene-co-butadiene) copolymer on the processability, aggregation structure and properties of chloroprene rubber

Chloroprene rubber (CR) with excellent performances including flame retardancy and weather resistance, also suffers limitations like poor processability and unsatisfied fatigue resistance. Herein, a facile and effective method is proposed to modify CR by introducing trans-1,4-poly (butadiene-co-isoprene) copolymer (TBIR) as reactive component. The influences of TBIR component on rheological behaviors, crystalline behaviors, phase morphology and properties of CR/TBIR blends are studied. With increasing TBIR amount in CR/TBIR blends, the viscosity decreases, while the initial vulcanization induction time and the stress relaxation rate increase significantly, indicating improved fluidity, plasticity and processing safety of the CR/TBIR blends. A microphase separation morphology with TBIR domain in several-hundred nanometers and trans-1,4-polyisoprene (TPI) lamellar fibrils penetrating both TBIR and CR domains is observed in the un-vulcanized CR/TBIR blends. The CR/TBIR (90/10) blend with satisfied properties is recommended for potential applications in conveyor belt, vibration damper, etc.

Automated summary

Chloroprene rubber (CR) modified with trans-1,4-poly (butadiene-co-isoprene) copolymer (TBIR) showed improved fluidity, plasticity and processing safety. Microphase separation morphology was observed in the un-vulcanized CR/TBIR blends, with a recommended blend ratio of CR/TBIR (90/10) for potential applications in conveyor belts, vibration dampers, etc.