Comparison of epoxidised natural rubber (enr) 37.5 and enr 25/ enr 50 physical blend: Specialty polymer for 'green tyre' application

Abstract

A comparison study of new grade epoxidised natural rubber (ENR) containing 37.5 mole % epoxidation (ENR 37.5) with ENR 25/ ENR 50 blend, prepared by physical blending of ENR 25 with ENR 50, was done using truck tyre formulation. The ENR 25 / ENR 50 physical blend exhibited certain similar physical properties to ENR 37.5 even though Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analyser (DMTA) analysis showed two glass transition temperatures (Tg) in the ENR 25/ ENR 50 vulcanisate. ENR 37.5 and ENR 25 / ENR 50 blend vulcanizates exhibited similar DMTA tan delta (tan delta) curves at 0 degrees C and 60 degrees C, indicating potentially comparable wet grip and rolling resistance in 'green tyre' tread. Moreover, the heat build-up property for both vulcanizates is low, which is advantageous for tyre application.