PVC/SBR blends - a new thermoplastic elastomer material - were developed. They have potential applications due to low costs and low- temperature elasticity. A unique compatibilization method was employed to enhance the mechanical properties of the materials - a compatibilizer miscible with one of the blend components can react chemically with the other component(s). Improvements in tensile and impact behavior were observed as a result of the compatibilization....[ Read more ]

PVC/SBR blends - a new thermoplastic elastomer material - were developed. They have potential applications due to low costs and low- temperature elasticity. A unique compatibilization method was employed to enhance the mechanical properties of the materials - a compatibilizer miscible with one of the blend components can react chemically with the other component(s). Improvements in tensile and impact behavior were observed as a result of the compatibilization.

A novel characterization technique to study the interface of PVWSBR blends was developed. This technique involves the observation of the unstained sample under electron beam irradiation by a transmission electron microscope (TEM). An enrichment of rubber at the interface between PVC and SBR was detected in the compatiblized PVC/SBR blends. Magnetic relaxation measurements show that the rubber concentration in the proximity of PVC increases with the degree of covulcanization between NBR and SBR. The interface development and the rheological effect during processing were investigated.

The interfacial concentration profile and the inter-facial thickness were obtained by grayscale measurements on TEM micrographs, evaluation of SIMS images, and measurements of micromechanical properties.