Compatibilized natural rubber/recycled ethylene-propylene-diene rubber blends by biocompatibilizer

Abstract

Biocompatibilizer-based refined, bleached, deodorized palm stearin was successfully used as compatibilizer for natural rubber/recycled ethylene–propylene–diene rubber (NR/R-EPDM) blends. It seems effective in improving the state of cure, tensile properties, as well as the swelling resistance and morphology of the blends, indicating an improvement in compatibility between the NR matrix and R-EPDM rendered by biocompatibilizer. This was clearly verified by the dynamic mechanical properties of the blends. The dynamic responses obtained were clearly corresponding to the swelling result. It proves that the cross-link density plays a major role in the changes of storage modulus and degree of entanglement.