Curing Characteristics, Mechanical Properties and Oil Resistance of Styrene Butadiene Rubber/Epoxidized Natural Rubber Blends

Abstract

Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)/epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) blends were prepared with an internal mixer, Haake Rheomix. The blends were prepared at 60 C at a rotor speed of 60 rpm. Curing characteristics, mechanical properties and oil resistance of the blends were studied. The scorch time, t 2 and curing time, t 90 were found to decrease with increasing ENR composition in the blends. The mechanical properties viz. tensile strength, tear strength and tensile modulus, M300 (modulus at 300% elongation) increase with increasing ENR composition in the blends. However, elongation at break, E b shows an opposite trend. At similar immersion time, SBR/ENR blends with higher composition of ENR exhibit better oil resistance.