Abstract
Epoxidised liquid natural rubber (ELNR) constitutes a new family of polymers chemically derived from natural rubber. It is a highly viscous rubber of low molar mass generally used as plasticiser or processing aid, especially during processing of natural rubber and styrene/butadiene rubber stocks.
The effect of incorporating this polymer rather than a standard plasticiser in a nitrile/butadiene rubber based mix has been investigated. The retention in mechanical properties following air and oil aging of the vulcanisates was also studied. Satisfactory processability of compounded stocks, mechanical properties, and aging resistance was maintained following incorporation of ELNR into nitrile/butadiene rubber formulations even at the lowest plasticiser concentrations. The improvement in aging behaviour was more pronounced when 25 mol-% ELNR was used at concentrations above 15 pphr.
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