Effects of Dynamic Vulcanization and Glycidyl Methacrylate (GMA) on Mechanical Properties, Swelling Index and Morphology Properties of Recycled Polyvinyl chloride)/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber (PVCr/NBR)Blends

Polymer blends with varying amounts of recycled Polyvinyl chloride) (PVCr) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) have been developed to produce Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs). The effects of dynamic vulcanization and Glycidyl Methacrylate (GMA) on mechanical properties, swelling index and morphology properties of the blends were studied. The blends were prepared using a Haake Rheomix at 150°C and rotor speed of 50rpm for 11 minutes. It was found that, dynamic crosslinking has enhanced the stress at peak, stress at 100% elongation and swelling resistance of dynamically vulcanized PVCr/NBR + GMA blends compared to PVCr/NBR blends. The introduction of cross-link into the elastomer phase and better compatibility between PVCr and NBR are responsible for the enhancement of mechanical properties of dynamically vulcanized PVCr/NBR + GMA blends as evidence from the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of extracted surfaces of the blends.