Improvement of the compatibility of natural rubber/ethylene–propylene diene monomer rubber blends via natural rubber epoxidation

Abstract

Abstract The longitudinal ultrasonic velocity, longitudinal ultrasonic absorption (attenuation coefficient), glass‐transition temperature, and Mooney viscosity for epoxidized natural rubber/ethylene–propylene diene monomer blends were measured. The variation of the longitudinal ultrasonic velocity with the blend ratios was linear, indicating a compatible system in comparison with the same system without epoxidation (natural rubber/ethylene–propylene diene monomer), which was incompatible. Also, the behavior was confirmed by heat of mixing calculations as well as Mooney viscosity measurements. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2816–2819, 2002