Mechanical properties of thermoplastic elastomers based on silicone rubber and an ethylene–octene copolymer by dynamic vulcanization

Abstract

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) are a special class of thermoplastic elastomers that are generally produced by the simultaneous mixing and crosslinking of a rubber with a thermoplastic polymer at an elevated temperature. Novel peroxide-cured TPVs based on blends of silicone rubber and the thermoplastic Engage (an ethyleneoctene copolymer) have been developed. These TPVs exhibit very good overall mechanical and electrical properties. With an increasing concentration of dicumyl peroxide, the tensile strength, modulus, and hardness of the TPVs increase, whereas the elongation at break decreases. Significant correlations have been obtained from oscillating disc rheometer torque values with various physical properties, such as the modulus and tension set of the TPVs. The aging characteristics and recyclability of the silicone-based TPVs are also excellent. Scanning electron microscopy photomicrographs of the TPVs have confirmed a dispersed phase morphology.

Influence of Engage® copolymer type on the properties of Engage®/silicone rubber-based thermoplastic dynamic vulcanizates

“…The mechanism of peroxide crosslinking of rubber is less complicated as compared to sulfur vulcanization. The crosslinking process of high polymers like silicone rubber by organic peroxides (DCP) can be divided into three successive steps [35]. The first step is the homolytic decomposition of DCP and generation of cumyloxy free radicals.…”

“…Only limited researches have been pursued so far in the field of silicone rubber A few research works in related field have been patented by Dow Corning Corporation [31][32][33]. Very recently Basuli et al [34,35] studied the properties of TPVs based on silicone rubber at a fixed blend ratio of the blend constituents. Potential areas of application of silicone based TPVs could be in wire and cable industries and soft-touch appliances.…”

Structure and Properties of Dynamically Cured Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Based on Poly(vinylidene fluoride), Silicone Rubber, and Fluororubber

“…The silicon-oxygen backbones and organic side groups of SR give the elastomer unique performances, including biocompatibility, high temperature stability, low temperature flexibility and chemical resistance. However, silicone rubber has a few drawbacks such as the low tensile strength of vulcanized rubbers, poor hydrocarbon oil and solvent resistance [7][8][9][10][11] . Therefore, fluorosilicone rubber combined with the advantages of FKM and SR gradually arouses people's attention, but fluorosilicone rubber cannot be widely used due to its high price and complicated synthesis technology [12][13] .…”

Morphology and properties of the PA66/PC/silicone rubber composites

“…However, silicone rubber has few limitations. Possible limitations include the low tensile strength of vulcanized rubbers, poor hydrocarbon oil and solvent resistance, high gas permeability, and somewhat high cost 2…”