Changes in morphology and properties of NR–NBR blends. Effect of viscosity ratio modified by liquid natural rubber and epoxidised liquid natural rubber

Changes in rheological properties, morphology, and oil resistance in NR–NBR blends by viscosity ratio have been investigated. In this study, the viscosity ratio was modified by mechanical mastication and addition of liquid natural rubber (LNR) and epoxidised liquid natural rubber (ELNR). The results reveal that as viscosity ratio increased from 0·5 to 1·0, Mooney viscosity of the blends increased, and then decreased sharply as the viscosity ratio further increased from 1·0 to 2·0. The addition of LNR and ELNR for plasticising NR and NBR, respectively, does not significantly affect cure properties of the blends. The phase size of the NR dispersed phase depends strongly on the viscosity ratio. The high viscosity of the matrix and/or the low viscosity of the dispersed phase promote breaking up of the dispersed phase. Unexpectedly, a decrease in size of the dispersed phase by the modification of viscosity ratio via the use of low molecular weight rubber (i.e. LNR and ELNR) did not result in an improvement in oil resistance.