The Effect of Epoxidized Natural Rubber as A Compatibilizer on the Properties of Standard Malaysian Rubber/Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Blends

Abstract

In this study, the effects of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR-50) as compatibilizer on the properties of Standard Malaysian Rubber/Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (SMR L/EPDM) blend were investigated. Standard Malaysian Rubber/Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer / Epoxidized Natural Rubber (SMR L/EPDM / ENR-50) blends were prepared by two-roll mill with five different compositions (i.e., 80/20/0, 80/20/1, 80/20/3, 80/20/5, 80/20/7 and 80/20/10), which the (SMR L/EPDM) content fixed at 80/20 which is the optimum ratio for (SMR L/EPDM) depending on our previous study. Cure characteristics, mechanical properties studies were performed to determine the compatibility of SMR L/EPDM blends in the presence of ENR-50 as a compatibilizer. The optimum cure characteristics showed by SMR L/EPDM blends with the presence of ENR-50, which lower scorch time t2 and cure time t90 and increase the cure rate index CRI. In addition, SMR L/EPDM blends with the presence of ENR-50 have improved the physical properties such as swelling test, crosslink density and hardness test.