Abstract:
Blending of two polymers usually gives rise to a new
material having a better balance of properties than a single polymer. Blending of
elastomers is undertaken for three main reasons: (i) improvement of the technical
properties of the original elastomer, (ii) achievement of improved processing
behaviour, and (iii) reduction in compound cost. In the present work, the blends of
sulphur-cured chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) and natural rubber (NR) were prepared.
The blend of the composition was 80/20 CPE/NR.
Recyclability, mechanical and rheological properties of blends influenced by
recycling cycles, the addition of magnesium oxide (MgO) and amine-based
antioxidant were discussed.
It was found that recycling of the 80/20 CPE/NR blends cured with the sulphur
vulcanising system is possible, and their mechanical properties are not significantly
affected by increasing recycling cycles. By contrast, the viscoelastic behaviour as
determined from oscillatory flow is influenced strongly by recycling. The more the
recycling cycles, the higher the viscous response due to a thermal degradation via
chain scission process of NR phase as evidenced by a dynamic mechanical analyses.
In addition, the addition of MgO or amine-based antioxidant plays a strong role on
thermal stability of the blends, particularly on the NR phase