Compatibilization of SBR/NBR blends using chemically modified styrene-co-butadiene rubber Part 2.: Effect of compatibilizer loading

The present work focuses on the compatibization of styrene-co-butadiene rubber (SBR)/acrylonitrile-co-butadiene rubber (NBR) blends with dichlorocarbene modified styrene-co-butadiene rubber (DCSBR) as a function of concentration of compatibilizer and composition of the blend. FTIR studies, differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis reveal molecular level miscibility in the blends in the presence of compatibilizer. The formation of interfacial bonding is assessed by analysis of swelling behaviour, cure characteristics, stress-strain data and mechanical properties. These studies show that the compatibilizing action of DCSBR becomes more prominent as the proportion of NBR in the blend increases. The resistance of the vulcanizate towards thermal and oil ageing improved with compatibilization. The change in technological properties is correlated with the crosslink density of the blends assessed from swelling and stress-strain data. (C) 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.