Rheological and mechanical properties of dynamically cured poly(vinyl chloride)/nitrile butadiene rubber thermoplastic elastomers

Abstract

AbstractPlasticized poly(vinyl chloride)/nitrile butadiene rubber (PVC/NBR) thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) were dynamically cured in the melt stage with the incorporation of a semi‐efficient curing system using a Brabender Plasticorder at 150 °C and rotor speed of 50 rev min−1. Sulfur concentration was progressively increased from zero to 1 part per hundred NBR to study the effect of dynamic curing on mechanical and rheological behaviour of the TPEs. The compounds were characterized in respect of their rheological and mechanical properties. The effectiveness of dynamic curing was studied using Brabender plastograms, a moving disc rheometer and swelling index measurement. The mechanical properties investigated include tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus at 100% elongation, tear strength and hardness. The influence of thermooxidative ageing on the mechanical properties was investigated by incubating the PVC/NBR TPEs in an air oven at 80 °C for 168 h. The torque values obtained from both rheometers increased with increasing sulfur dosage, while the swelling index decreased. The significant increase in the degree of curing evidenced by the steady reduction in the swelling index provided excellent proof of the efficiency of the dynamic curing technique. Thermo‐oxidative ageing resulted in a pronounced enhancement in mechanical properties as a function of sulfur content. This observation seems to indicate that some microstructural changes, such as the formation of new crosslinks, occur in the thermo‐oxidatively aged TPEs. This trend was supported by further reduction in the swelling index of the aged TPEs.© 2003 Society of Chemical Industry