Thermoplastic Natural Rubber of Co-Polyamide: Effect of Blend Ratios on Mechanical, Swelling, Dynamic and Morphological Properties

Abstract

Maleated natural rubber (MNR) was synthesized and formulated to prepare thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) by blending with co-polyamide (COPA). It was found that 100% modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness and degree of swelling increased with increasing proportion of COPA. However, degree of swelling and tension set value decreased which reflects enhancing of rubber elasticity. Dynamic properties were also determined by a rotor less oscillating shear rheometer (Rheo Tech MDpt). It was found that increasing proportion of MNR caused increasing of storage modulus and complex viscosity but decreasing tan δ value. Morphological properties were also determined by SEM technique. It was found that the MNR/COPA simple blends with the proportion of rubber 40, 50 and 60 wt% exhibited the co-continuous phase structures.