Developments in Poly(vinyl chloride)/Epoxidized Natural Rubber Blends

Abstract

This chapter discusses blends of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR). ENR is a relatively new rubber that is a modified form of natural rubber. The poor thermo-oxidative aging of PVC/ENR blends was demonstrated in our studies of mechanical properties and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Optimum blending conditions are better illustrated with a composite plot of mixing temperature versus rotor speed for both PVC- and ENR-dominant blends. Plasticization is known to increase the workability, flexibility, and stability of plastics, particularly PVC, which is unique in its acceptance of plasticizers. Supportive evidences for the effect of mixing parameters on the quality of the intermediate PVC/ENR blends could also be derived from the morphological study using optical microscopy. The effect of both types of additives on the thermal oxidative behavior of PVC/ENR was investigated with studies involving mechanical properties and FTIR.