Effect of crosslinking agent dosage on the morphology and properties of thermoplastic vulcanizates based on hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber and thermoplastic polyester elastomer

Abstract

This work aims to develop heat- and oil-resistant thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) and thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) using dynamic vulcanization and following a masterbatch procedure. It focuses on the effect of the cross-linking agent dosage on the morphology and properties of HNBR/TPEE-TPVs. An increase in the peroxide dosage yields a higher cross-linking degree of the HNBR, a smaller size and a more uniform distribution of the HNBR domains, and a stronger rubber network. Consequently, the elasticity and high-temperature oil resistance of the TPV increases, but its flowability in the molten state, tensile properties, and heat resistance decrease. It turns out that a peroxide dosage of 1.5 phr is preferred for the preparation of HNBR/TPEE-TPV under the specified processing conditions to achieve a more comprehensive TPV performance.