Thermoplastic Natural Rubber Based on Blending of Co-Polyester: Effect of Amount of Epoxide Groups in Epoxidized Natural Rubber on Preperties

Abstract

TPNRs based on blending of co-polyester (i.e., PBT/PC) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) with various epoxide content (i.e., 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mol% epoxide) were prepared by dynamic vulcanization. It was found that the co-polyester/ENR blends gave better properties (i.e., mechanical, dynamic mechanical, morphological and oil resistant properties) than that of co-polyester/unmodified NR blend. It was also found that co-polyester/ENR with 50 mol% epoxide exhibited the highest tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus at 100% elongation, hardness, storage modulus, complex viscosity and oil resistant properties but showed the lowest tension set value. This indicates the highest elasticity. Moreover, it was found that size of vulcanized rubber domains dispersed in thermoplastic matrix decreased with increasing the epoxide content in ENR molecules.