A Phase Blending Study on Rubber Blends Based on the Solubility Preference of Curatives

Using previously obtained data on the solubilities of curatives in SBR, EPDM and in NBR, different mixing procedures were performed on 50/50 SBR/EPDM and NBR/EPDM blends. In contrast to a previous phase-mixing study, the curatives were added to separate phases before final blending, in an attempt to control the curative distributions in the blends for optimal mechanical properties. Fillers were not applied in the system to exclude their influence on the dispersion of the curatives. The properties of such blends compounded by selective phase mixing are superior to those of blends compounded with normal mixing procedures.