Properties and unique morphological evolution of dynamically vulcanized bromo-isobutylene-isoprene rubber/polypropylene thermoplastic elastomer

Abstract

We studied the microstructure, morphological evolution and the corresponding mechanism, and the properties of BIIR/PP TPV.

Unique microstructure of an oil resistant nitrile butadiene rubber/polypropylene dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer

“…The reciprocal volume swell ratios (1/Q) of samples A to E were measured to characterize the crosslinking degree of the NBR phase in the samples A to E, 30 as has been described in our previous studies. 29,31 2.3.2. Morphology studies.…”

“…The morphologies of samples A to E were observed using a Nanoscope IIIa peak force tapping atom force microscope (PF-AFM) (Bruker, Germany), samples were microtomed and polished using a cryo-ultramicrotome (Leica EM UC7, Germany) equipped with a glass knife at À100 C before observed, and the particle size was determined with Image-Pro Plus 4.5 soware based on the AFM graphs, as has been described in our previous studies. 29,31 For each sample, more than 50 particles in at least ve different AFM pictures were examined to obtain statistically meaningful results.…”

“…Disintegration tests. Disintegration tests were carried out as reported in our previous studies 29,31 by immersing samples in hot 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB) at 180 C for 50 h or less, and photographs of the nal states of the samples aer immersion were taken. All samples were rst heated in vacuum oven at 180 C for 5 min in order to make sure that the NBR phase was totally crosslinked.…”

“…In our previous studies, it was found that the dispersed rubber microparticles in miscible rubber/plastic systems such as EPDM/PP TPVs and bromo-isobutylene-isoprene rubber (BIIR)/PP TPVs were actually agglomerates of rubber nanoparticles (40 to 100 nm). 28,29 In this study, we aim to nd out what is the microstructure and formation mechanism in the immiscible oil resistant NBR/PP TPVs. We deeply studied the microstructure and its formation mechanism, and the microstructure-properties (including mechanical property, elasticity, rheological property and oil resistance) relationship of NBR/PP TPVs during DV to provide guidance for the preparation of high-performance NBR/PP TPVs.…”

Devulcanization of Elastomers and Applications

“…Therefore, it is necessary the application of high shear rates, which are generated due to the presence of mixing blocks in processing performed in extruder, as in point 5 (Figure 2). Also, Yao et al [100] deeply studied the morphology evolution of bromo-isobutylene-isoprene rubber (BIIR)/polypropylene (PP) TPV blends. It was depicted that the dynamic vulcanization increases the compatibility among the phases, demonstrated by the increase in interfacial phase thickness and the decrease in interfacial tension.…”