THERMOPLASTIC VULCANIZATES (TPVS) BASED ON SILICONE RUBBER AND ETHYLENE BUTENE COPOLYMER: STUDY AT A FIXED BLEND RATIO

摘要

Thermoplastic vulcanisates based on blends of silicone rubber and ethylene-butene copolymer (Engage-7256) were cured with dicumyl peroxide and the effects of the curing agent on the mechanical, rheological and morphological properties of the TPVs at a fixed blend ratio investigated. The physical properties of the TPVs before and after heat ageing and recyclability of the TPVs were also investigated. It was found that the tensile strength, modulus, hardness and overall crosslink density of the TPVs increased with increasing concentration of curing agent whereas tensile set decreased and optimum physical properties were obtained at 2.5 phr of curing agent concentration. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a dispersed phase morphology and rheological studies confirmed the pseudoplastic nature of the blends. 32 refs.