Some studies on poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, and their blend reinforced with carbon black

Abstract

Poly(ethylene- co-vinyl acetate), acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, and their blend (50/50 wt%) loaded with different concentrations of high-abrasion furnace were prepared. Mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties as well as the morphology and the swelling behavior have been investigated in view of filler loading. The tensile strength values increase with increasing high-abrasion furnace loading while the elongation at break and the swelling index decrease. Also, the thermal stability was improved. The addition of high-abrasion furnace in poly(ethylene- co-vinyl acetate)/acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer improves the interaction and the compatibility between the two polymers as shown by scanning electron microscope.The presence of acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer in the blend increases the thermal stability and the swelling resistance, whereas poly(ethylene- co-vinyl acetate) enhances the tensile strength values of the blends. The permittivity ɛ′ and the dielectric loss ɛ″ values indicate that an abrupt increase was noticed when the concentration of high-abrasion furnace reaches 10 phr for all investigated systems. This increase indicates the tendency of conductivity chain formation through the aggregation of high-abrasion furnace particles network. The percolation theory was applied to detect the percolation threshold for each composite. The effect of thermal aging on mechanical and electrical properties was also studied.