Styrene butadiene rubber/epoxidized natural rubber blends: Compatibilizer effects

Abstract

The effects of a compatibilizer, styrene-(epoxidized butadiene) - styrene triblock co-polymer (ESBS) on dynamic properties, curing characteristics and swelling behavior of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 50) blends were studied. Results indicate that the presence of ESBS improved the processability, increase the scorch time, t 2 and reduce the cure time, t 90 of the SBR/ENR 50 blends. The improved interfacial interaction between SBR and ENR 50 in the presence of ESBS also resulted in SBR/ENR 50 blends having better oil resistance than similar blends without a compatibilizer.