INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, considerable research

interest is focused on new polymeric
materials obtained by blending two or
more polymers [1-3]. The major fea-
ture of such process is that the interme-
diate properties are in some cases bet-
ter than those exhibited by either of the
single components [4-6]. In addition,
some modifications in terms of pro-
cessing characteristics, durability and
cost can be achieved via polymer
blending [7]. Blends have been devel-
oped to meet several industrial require-
ments such as the need for easier pro-
An Investigation of Mechanical and
Rheological Properties of NBR/PVC Blends:
Influence of Anhydride Additives, Mixing
Procedure and NBR Form
C
ompatibilizer is used for improvement of interfacial interaction, mechanical prop-
erties and processability of polymer blends. In this study, the effect of phthalic
anhydride (PAH), succinic anhydride (SAH) and maleic anhydride (MAH) in vul-
canizable compositions of the melt mixed acrylonitrile butadiene rubber/poly(vinyl chlo-
ride) (NBR/PVC) in different proportions were investigated. PAH, SAH and MAH were
used to improve compatibility of NBR/PVC blends. These additives increased the interfa-
cial interaction between NBR and PVC phases confirmed by the scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) study of fracture surfaces. The results were compared to those for
control type (no compatibilizer added) NBR/PVC formulation. The developed composi-
tions were studied by rheometric and mechanical properties. Also, in this work, we inves-
tigate the effects of mixing procedure (Brabender Plasticorder and Haake rheometer) and
NBR form (powder and bale) on the final properties of NBR/PVC blends. It is argued that
NBR/PVC blends with NBR powder prepared in the Haake rheometer have higher stabi-
lization torque and tensile properties than NBR/PVC blends with NBR bale and have
lower properties than the blends which were prepared in Brabender Plasticorder with
NBR powder. It is observed that the increasing effect of NBR powder in mechanical prop-
erties is owing to fine particle size and high surface area that are well interacted with PVC.
NBR/PVC;
interfacial interaction;
mechanical properties;
rheometric properties;
mixing;
NBR powder.
A B S T R A C T
Key Words:
Ahmad Ali Shokri
1*
, Gholamreza Bakhshandeh
2
, and
Tahereh Darestani Farahani
2
(1) National Petrochemical Company, Petrochemical Research and Development Company
P.O. Box: 19395/6896, Tehran, I.R. Iran
(2) Department of Rubber, Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, P.O. Box: 14965/115,
Tehran, I.R. Iran
Received 19 July 2005; accepted 1 February 2006
Iranian Polymer Journal
15 (3), 2006, 227-237
(
*
) To whom correspondence to be addressed.
E-mail: aa.shokri@gmail.com
Available online at: http://journal.ippi.ac.ir
cessing and broadening of the properties range, either by
varying the type, relative amounts or morphology of each
component [8,9]. These materials can be prepared so as,
for example, to combine their high mechanical strength to
a better dimensional stability and thermal resistance [10].
In recent years, the blends of acrylonitrile-butadi-
ene rubber (NBR) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) have
been widely used in industry [11]. Major applications
of these blends include conveyor belt covers, cable
jackets, hose cover linings, gaskets, footwear and cellu-
lar products [12]. It is worth noting that NBR acts as a
permanent plasticizer for PVC in applications such as
wire and cable insulation in which PVC improves the
chemical resistance, thermal ageing and abrasion
resistance of NBR [13,14].
One way to improve the final performance of this
blend is by means of interfacial modifier or compatibiliz-
ing agents acting from the matrix side [15]. In general,
these interfacial modifications have generated great inter-
est in materials based on polymers as polymer blend or
polyblends, because these agents are able to enhance the
interaction level between the material components, such
interactions take place through the interphase [11,16].
The reactive compatibilization technique has been used
for poly(vinyl chloride)/styrene butadiene-rubber (PVC/
SBR), nylon 6/poly(propylene) (PP) and poly(propy-
lene)/poly(carbonate) (PP/PC) blends [17-19].
PVC is miscible with NBR (23-45% acrylonitrile
content) at all composition ranges [20]. These materials
are mixed and fluxed in typical machinery used for this
purpose, such as a Haake or Banbury mixer [4,5,21].
This investigation deals with the study of the inter-
facial modification induced in NBR/PVC blends by
phthalic anhydride (PAH), succinic anhydride (SAH)
and maleic anhydride (MAH), which has proved to be
efficient as a compatibilizing agent in these blends, as
evidenced by tensile properties, swelling behaviour and
morphology of NBR bale/PVC blends. Also, in this arti-
cle, various compositions of NBR/PVC blends with two
mixing procedures (Haake and Brabender Plasticorder)
and two types of NBR (powder and bale) were prepared.
The results obtained are described and discussed.
EXPERIMENTAL
Materials
Poly(vinyl chloride), powder, suspension polymer; K-
value=65 (Bandar-e-Emam Petrochemical Company,
Mahshahr, Iran). Nitrile rubber bale, percentage acry-
lonitrile: 33%; ML(1+4) at 100
o
C = 56 (Tiwan). Nitrile
rubber powder, percentage acrylonitrile: 32%; ML
(1+4) at 100
o
C = 57, partitioning agent for this NBR is
PVC (10 %), (Korea).
Curing agents, rubber grade tetramethyl thiuram
disulphide (TMTD), mercaptobenzthiazyl disulphide
(MBTS) and sulphur (S) were used.
Other additives, dioctyl phthalate (DOP) and bari-
um/cadmium/zinc stearate were used as plasticizer and
stabilizer, respectively. A combination of zinc oxide
(ZnO) and stearic acid was used as the activator system
for vulcanization of NBR. Dicumyl-peroxide (DCP)
and compatibilizers (PAH, SAH and MAH) were used
as the initiator and compatibilizing agent for compati-
bilization of NBR and PVC from Merck Company. The
formulations of the blends for the comparison of the
anhydride additives are given in Table 1 and the formu-
lation of Table 2 is for comparison of mixing proce-
dure and NBR form.
The sample codes of the blends versus NBR form
and mixing machine are summarized in Table 3.
Preparation of the Blends and Testing
The blends were prepared in a Haake internal mixer
(model HBI System 90) equipped with two banbury
rotors at 150
o
C with a rotor speed of 60 (for 70/30 and
228
An Investigation of Mechanical and Rheological ...
Shokri A.A. et al.
Iranian Polymer Journal / Volume 15 Number 3 (2006)
Table 1. Formulation of NBR bale/PVC blends (anhydride
additives).
Materials F1 (phr) F2 (phr) F3 (phr)
NBR
PVC
DOP
Ba/Cd/Zn stearate
Zinc oxide
Stearic acid
Sulphur
MBTS
TMTD
DCP
Compatibilizer
70
30
50
3
3
1.5
0.7
0.7
0.25
0.2
4
50
50
50
3
3
1.5
0.5
0.5
0.2
0.2
4
30
70
50
3
3
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.1
0.2
4
50/50 NBR bale/PVC blends) and 50 rpm (for 30/70
NBR bale/PVC blend). The PVC was initially pre-
mixed with stabilizer and plasticizer in a petri dish for
3 min at room temperature. As the mixing chamber
attained the set temperature, in zero time; the combina-
tion of PVC, stabilizer and plasticizer with compatibi-
lizer system (DCP + PAH or MAH or SAH) were
charged and allowed to soften for 2 min and then the
nitrile rubber was added and mixing continued for
30/70 NBR/PVC blend. For 70/30 and 50/50
NBR/PVC blends, this procedure is vice-versa. The
charging operation normally took 20-35 s. The torque
was plotted using an XY recorder. Mixing was then
continued until a constant torque was obtained. The
total mixing time was 8 min. The blending of NBR
powder and PVC (at all blend compositions) was con-
ducted in the melt state in Brabender Plasticorder
which was equipped with twin screw (co-rotating,
diameter of screw D=20 mm, ratio L/D= 40) at screw
speed of 50 rpm and temperature profile 165 to 175
o
C
in various zones. The mixed blend was removed from
the mixer and sheeted on a cold and laboratory two-roll
mill (Polymix, model 200L), for blends which have
NBR bale. After 6 h; the curing agent, ZnO and stearic
acid, were added to the mixed blend on an open mill at
40
o
C for 8 min. The blends were vulcanized at 170
o
C
and a pressure of 150 kgf/cm
2
in a Daventest hydraulic
press and were cooled to room temperature.
The Mooney viscosities of the blends before curing
were measured using a Zwick Mooney shearing disc
viscometer, model 4309, at 100
o
C and a Monsanto
Rheometer, model 4308, were used to generate curing
characteristics data for NBR/PVC blends at 170
o
C
according to ASTM D-2084.
Dumb-bell specimens of 2 mm thickness were cut
from moulded sheets and three specimens were used in
each case for evaluation of tensile properties. Tensile
properties were measured by Tensometer MTS model
10/M following ASTM D-412 at ambient temperature.
For determination of the swelling percentage of the
blends (carried out in accordance with ASTM D-471),
the test pieces with dimension 2 mm5 mm30 mm
were weighed and this was considered to be the origi-
nal weight. The test pieces were immersed in toluene at
room temperature for 46 h. After removal from the
toluene, they were wiped with tissue paper to remove
excess toluene from the surface and weighed (swollen
weight). The swelling index of the blends was calculat-
ed as follows:
Studies on morphology of the fractured surfaces of
blends were carried out using a Cambridge Stereoscan
360 scanning electron microscope (SEM), surfaces of
the sample were coated with a thin gold layer.
Infrared spectroscopic studies were done in a FTIR
Bruker spectrophotometer (model IFS 48) with scan-
ning range was from 500 to 4000 cm
-1
. The samples for
FTIR were prepared by using the attenuated total
reflectance (ATR) technique.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Haake and Brabender Mixer Studies
Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the typical plastograms record-
ed for NBR/PVC blends with different blend composi-
tions and various compatibilizers. The rotors were
immediately started and the torque rose due to the
An Investigation of Mechanical and Rheological ...
Shokri A.A. et al.
Iranian Polymer Journal / Volume 15 Number 3 (2006)
229
weight original
weight swollen
index Swelling =
(1)
Table 2. Formulation of NBR (bale & powder)/PVC blends.
Materials F1 (phr) F2 (phr) F3 (phr)
NBR
PVC
DOP
Ba/Cd/Zn stearate
Zinc oxide
Stearic acid
Sulphur
MBTS
TMTD
70
30
3
1
3.5
1.4
0.7
0.7
0.25
50
50
20
2
2.5
1.0
0.5
0.5
0.2
30
70
30
3
1.5
0.6
0.3
0.3
0.1
Table 3. Sample codes of various blend compositions (mix-
ing procedure &NBR form).
Composition
F1 F2 F3
Haake with NBR bale
Haake with NBR powder
Brabender with NBR powder
HB1
HP1
BP1
HB2
HP2
BP2
HB3
HP3
BP3
resistance exerted on the rotor by the unmolten poly-
mer. As compared to the 70/30 and 50/50 blends, the
30/70 NBR/PVC blend shows the lowest increase in
torque at 0-2 min, because for this blend in zero time;
PVC powder was charged into the mixing chamber
together with other additives, but for 70/30 and 50/50
blends, in zero time; NBR was charged that has higher
stiffness. After adding the second polymer, as viscosity
decreased until equilibrium torque was achieved when
the blend become homogenized.
It can be seen that for all blend compositions, the
stabilization torque increases with increasing PVC
fraction as expected. The blend viscosity is increased
when the PVC content in the blend increases. The
increase in viscosity and torque in these Figures as a
result of incorporation of rubber with plastic have been
reported by various researchers [22-24]. Recall that vis-
cosity is a direct function of torque which accounts for
the torque increment. Various researchers [25,26,28]
have reported the increase in viscosity on compatibi-
lization of polymer blends. According to George et al.
[27], upon compatibilization of a blend, the compatibi-
lizer will generally locate at the interface between the
dispersed phase and the matrix and this will lead to an
increase in interfacial thickness. However, at a similar
blend composition, blend with MAH compatibilizing
agent exhibits higher stabilization torque than blends
with PAH, SAH and control type (no compatibilizer
added). It is clear from these Figures that for a similar
blend composition, by using a small amount of a com-
patibilizing agent, interfacial modifications (interfacial
adhesion) are induced in the blends that can be evi-
denced by the torque rise. Among these compatibilizing
agents, MAH has a good effect on the adhesion of NBR
and PVC which may be attributed to good reaction with
two components.
On the other hand, Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the typ-
ical plastograms recorded for NBR/PVC blends with
different blend compositions and various mixing proce-
dures and NBR forms. In Haake rheometer, for a simi-
lar blend composition, blends that were prepared with
NBR powder have higher stabilization torque than
those prepared with NBR bale. It is clear from Figures
4 and 5, by using of NBR powder, owing to fine parti-
cle size (high surface area) of NBR; interaction
between NBR and PVC are induced in the blends that
230
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Shokri A.A. et al.
Iranian Polymer Journal / Volume 15 Number 3 (2006)
Figure 1. Torque versus time of 70/30 NBR/PVC blends.
Figure 2. Torque versus time of 50/50 NBR/PVC blends.
Figure 3. Torque versus time of 30/70 NBR/PVC blends.
Figure 4. Torque versus time of NBR bale/PVC blends pre-
pared in Haake mixer.
An Investigation of Mechanical and Rheological ...
Shokri A.A. et al.
Iranian Polymer Journal / Volume 15 Number 3 (2006)
231
can be evidenced by the torque rise. In Brabender Plas-
ticorder, when steady-state process is started, it
observed a stable stabilization torque from zero time
(onset of steady-state) to the end of mixing. In this mix-
ing machine, there is a higher stabilization torque than
Haake mixer which caused good mixing.
Rheometric Studies
The Monsanto rheometer results of the blends with var-
ious compatibilizing agents at 170
o
C are shown in
Table 4. It is seen that as the NBR content in the blends
increases, torque difference (difference between the
maximum torque and the minimum torque) also
increases, because of high NBR content in the blend;
requirement torque for oscillating movement in the
rheometer is lower and after vulcanization process, it
requires to higher torque for movement. It can be seen
from comparison of data given in this Table that the
maximum torque (torque developed at a cure time of
15 min) and torque difference are usually higher for the
blends with compatibilizing agent that are evident by
the interfacial adhesion. The blends with compatibiliz-
Figure 5. Torque versus time of NBR powder/PVC blends
prepared in Haake mixer.
Table 4. Curing characteristics and mechanical properties of NBR/PVC blends with various compatibilizing agents.
70/30
50/50 30/70
Ctrl MAH PAH SAH Ctrl MAH PAH SAH Ctrl MAH PAH SAH
Mooney viscosity 17.2 30 26 24
30.91
31 31.5 30.5
40
59 53 48
Rheometric properties
Maximum torque (lb
f
.in)
Minimum torque (lb
f
.in)
Torque difference (lb
f
.in)
Scorch time (min)
Optimum cure time, t
95
(min)
Cure rate (lb
f
.in/min)
8
3.1
4.9
2.1
9.8
34.1
9.9
3.4
6.7
1.8
10.2
36.2
9.3
3.2
6.1
1.9
11
37
8.9
3.13
5.8
1.81
10.5
35.6
7.5
3
4.5
2.38
11.19
25.82
9.4
3.5
5.9
2.1
10
28
9.11
3.4
5.71
1.9
11.6
27.8
8.6
3.68
4.92
2
12.1
26.5
6.9
3.8
3.1
2.49
12.88
29.45
8.8
4.3
4.5
2.1
13.1
31
8.61
4.23
4.38
2.2
12.5
32.1
8.29
4.23
4.06
1.93
12
30
Mechanical properties
Tensile strength(MPa)
Elongation-at-break (%)
100% Modulus (MPa)
300% Modulus (MPa)
Hardness (Shore A)
Swelling index
3.4
540
0.7
1.7
39
3.1
4.4
495
0.79
1.92
35
2.7
4.1
520
0.76
1.8
35
2.85
3.9
520
0.76
1.79
34
3
6.1
500
1.68
3.14
49
2.15
7.35
460
1.9
3.9
46
1.8
7.1
480
1.78
3.5
45
1.9
6.8
480
1.7
3.7
45
2
9
400
3.5
6.9
68
1.8
10.5
365
3.8
7.3
64
1.5
10.1
380
3.71
7.21
64
1.6
9.9
385
3.69
7
63
1.6
Figure 6. Torque versus time of NBR powder/PVC blends
prepared in Brabender Plasticorder.
232
An Investigation of Mechanical and Rheological ...
Shokri A.A. et al.
Iranian Polymer Journal / Volume 15 Number 3 (2006)
ing agents are more scorchy (showing relatively low
scorch time) and the optimum cure time for all blends
are more or less close or comparable. Also it is seen
that between these blends, compatibilizing agents pro-
duce in general a slightly higher cure rate (determined
from the slope of the initial steady part of the torque
rise zone for each blend).
The Monsanto rheometer results of the blends with
various mixing procedures and NBR form at 170
o
C are
shown in Table 5. It can be seen from comparison of
data given in this table, for a similar blend composition
that the maximum torque (torque developed at a cure
time of 20 min) and torque difference are higher for the
blends with NBR powder which were prepared in
Brabender Plasticorder that confirmed the better mix-
ing between NBR and PVC than Haake blending.
Blends with NBR bale towards NBR powder that were
prepared in Haake have lowest maximum torque and
torque difference at similar blend composition that
attributed to strong interaction and good mixing. The
blends with NBR bale are more scorchy (showing rela-
tively low scorch time) and the optimum cure time for
a similar blend composition are more or less close to
each other. Also, it is seen that between these blends,
NBR powder produces in general a slightly higher cure
rate (determined from the slope of the initial steady part
of the torque rise zone for each blend).
Mechanical Properties
Table 4 also provides an interesting summary of the
mechanical properties of the blends with various com-
patibilizing agents. The tensile strength (TS) and mod-
ulus increase with the percent of PVC due to the
increasing of blend rigidity. The increasing of NBR
content in the blends also increases the elongation-at-
break, E
b
, due to the decreasing of the stiffness of the
blend. However, it is apparent that the compatibilizing
agents improve the ultimate properties (TS, modulus)
as shown in this table due to the enhancement in inter-
facial adhesion between NBR and PVC. The MAH sys-
tem generally produces blends which shows signifi-
cantly higher TS and modulus because of good adhe-
sion with NBR and PVC toward PAH and SAH. These
compatibilizers are reinforcing additive and cause
decreasing in hardness. This effect could be interpreted
by the competing mechanisms taking place in the other
blends [29]. These additives behave as a processing aid
because of low molecular weight and viscosity, there-
fore, reduces the hardness.
Table 5 also provides the mechanical properties of
Table 5. Cure characteristics and mechanical properties of various NBR/PVC blends.
HB1 HB2 HB3 HP1 HP2 HP3 BP1 BP2 BP3
Moony viscosity 56 62.1 66.3 60
65
69.5 62 64.8 70
Rheometric properties
Maximum torque (lb
f
.in)
Minimum torque (lb
f
.in)
Torque difference (lb
f
.in)
Scorch time (min)
Optimum cure time, t
95
(min)
Cure rate (lb
f
.in/min)
24
7.6
16.4
1.7
13.9
28.4
21.7
9.7
12
2
14.7
24.4
18.3
11.8
6.5
2.2
16.1
21.8
27.6
10.1
17.5
1.8
13.7
31
25.3
12.6
12.7
2
14.3
25.3
21.9
14.1
7.8
2.3
15.7
23.5
30
11.2
18.8
1.9
13.6
32.9
27.5
13.5
14
2.2
14.2
27
25
15.8
9.2
2.5
15
24.3
Mechanical properties
Tensile strength(MPa)
Elongation-at-break (%)
100% Modulus (MPa)
300% Modulus (MPa)
Hardness (Shore A)
8.1
380
2.6
5.7
61
10.7
340
4.1
8.8
65
13.1
305
5.9
10.6
70
8.8
360
3.1
6.5
69
11.6
305
5.6
9.1
72
14.1
270
8.1
12.8
74
10
290
3.9
7.4
71
12.1
260
5.7
9.4
74
15.4
220
8.6
12.7
79
An Investigation of Mechanical and Rheological ...
Shokri A.A. et al.
Iranian Polymer Journal / Volume 15 Number 3 (2006)
233
the blends with various mixing procedures and NBR
form. However, it is apparent that the NBR powder
increases the ultimate properties as shown in this table
due to the enhancement in interfacial adhesion between
NBR and PVC. The Brabender Plasticorder generally
produces blends which show significantly higher TS
and modulus because of good adhesion and mixing that
occurred in this mixer.
Swelling Studies
Both NBR and PVC are soluble in toluene. Although the
Haake-mixed blend, before moulding, is soluble in
toluene, the moulded blend swells only to a limited
extent, showing the presence of chemical cross-links
and good interfacial adhesion. The fact that the extent of
swelling depends on the degree of cross-linking and
interfacial adhesion is clear than the observation of the
swelling index in Table 4. However, at a similar blend
composition, the swelling index of blends with compat-
ibilizing agents is lower than control blends. This is
expected since compatibilized blends show the higher
rise in rheometric torque, which can be considered as
proportional to the enhancement in interfacial adhesion.
It can be observed from Figure 7 that the swelling
index of blends which were prepared in Brabender
Plasticorder is lower than other blends. This is expect-
ed since these blends show the higher rise in rheomet-
ric torque, which can be considered as proportional to
the enhancement in interfacial adhesion and have a bet-
ter mixing between NBR powder and PVC.
Infrared Spectroscopic Analysis
Spectroscopic analysis of samples gives an idea of the
nature of chemical interactions occurring during the
mixing of the blends with various compatibilizing
agents. Figure 8 shows the FTIR spectra of 50/50
NBR/PVC blend that were prepared with three types of
compatibilizing agent. A comparison of the spectra of
the blend shows the changes that occur with compatibi-
lizing agent. Figure 8 exhibits the olefinic C-H stretch-
ing frequency just above 2900 cm
-1
, the CH
2
blending
vibration at above 1430 cm
-1
, ester vibration at
1272 cm
-1
, the vibration of CN at 2237 cm
-1
from NBR
structure and C-H out-of-plane blending frequency at
968 cm
-1
. The peak centred at 1722 cm
-1
represents the
carbonyl groups of ester from DOP. However, in the
spectrum of Figure 8b for NBR/PVC/MAH blend the
absence of C=C at 1680-1620 cm
-1
of MAH structure
can be due to C-C radical of MAH which was grafted
with PVC. For NBR/PVC/PAH (Figure 8c), the aro-
matic C=C peak at 1536 cm
-1
shows the grafting of
PAH with NBR and PVC. Exposure to NBR results in
the opening of anhydride ring to acid residues. Bands at
~
~
1715 cm
-1
(strong, represents the carbonyl groups of
ester from DOP, as well) and ~
~
1780 cm
-1
(weak) can be
observed for the ester group residues in Figures 8c and
8d. The OH stretching vibrations can be seen as a rela-
tively broad peak centered at ~
~
3500 cm
-1
which for
Figure 7. Swelling index versus blend composition of various
NBR/PVC blends.
Figure 8. FTIR Spectrum of 50/50 NBR/PVC; (a) NBR/PVC,
(b) NBR/PVC/MAH, (c) NBR/PVC/PAH, (d) NBR/PVC/SAH.
234
An Investigation of Mechanical and Rheological ...
Shokri A.A. et al.
Iranian Polymer Journal / Volume 15 Number 3 (2006)
NBR/PVC can be attributed to the hydrolysis of NBR
in the presence of moisture and HCl due to the degra-
dation of PVC [5]. For NBR/PVC/MAH, peak at ~
~
3500 cm
-1
(weak) can be observed for the OH group
that was produced from opening ring of MAH. Because
of low concentration of OH group, the intensity of this
peak is very low.
Figure 9 shows the suggested reaction mechanism
of various anhydrides (MAH, PAH and SAH) with
NBR and PVC during melt mixing.
Figure 9. Reaction mechanism of NBR/PVC with compatibi-
lizing agents; (a) NBR/PVCMAH, (b) NBR/PVC/PAH, (c)
NBR/ PVC/SAH.
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 10. SEM Micrographs of tensile fracture surfaces of
50/50 NBR/PVC; (a) NBR/PVC, (b) NBR/PVC/MAH, (c) NBR/
PVC/PAH, (d) NBR/PVC/SAH.
An Investigation of Mechanical and Rheological ...
Shokri A.A. et al.
Iranian Polymer Journal / Volume 15 Number 3 (2006)
235
Phase Morphology Studies
Phase morphology of tensile fractured surface of four
blend samples, a control blend and three blends com-
patibilized with PAH, MAH and SAH, based on 50/50
NBR/PVC composition is shown in Figure 10. In com-
patibilized blends case, the size of PVC domains (the
white zones) is usually smaller than pure control com-
position. The PVC domains appear more uniformly dis-
persed and distributed into much finer domains in com-
patibilized blends which is an indication of the effect of
increased interaction between NBR and PVC blends, as
it can be seen from the presence of many tear lines on
the tensile fractured surfaces. This also goes to explain
well the differences in the mechanical properties profile
(TS, modulus) of the control blend and blends compat-
ibilized by MAH, PAH and SAH.
Phase morphology of tensile fractured surface of
three blend samples based on 70/30 NBR/PVC composi-
tion with various mixing procedures and NBR forms are
shown in Figure 11. In blends which are prepared with
NBR powder, the size of the PVC domains is usually
smaller than blend with NBR bale. The PVC domains
appear more uniformly dispersed and distributed into
much finer domains in HP1 and BP1 blends. This indi-
cates the effect of increased interaction between NBR
powder and PVC blends which can be seen from the pres-
ence of many tear lines on the tensile fractured surfaces.
CONCLUSION
From the processing study carried out in the torque
rheometer for NBR/PVC blends with various compati-
bilizing agents and the data of vulcanization parame-
ters, it was found that the incorporation of compatibi-
lizing agents has a good effect on the improvement of
mechanical properties and swelling behaviour of these
blends, which is evident from higher stabilization
torque and tensile strength, reduced swelling index and
infrared spectroscopic studies of blends. Morphology
study of tensile fractured surfaces indicates the
improvement of interfacial adhesion between NBR and
PVC phases in the presence of compatibilizing agent.
From these compatibilizing agent MAH has a good
effect on PAH and SAH.
But for blends of NBR/PVC with several of mixing
procedures and NBR form; it was found that the incor-
poration of NBR powder has a good effect on the
improvement of mechanical properties and swelling
behaviour of these blends, which is evident from
mechanical properties and swelling behaviour. It is
worth noting that the increasing effect of NBR powder
on mechanical properties could be due to fine particle
size and high surface area that well covered with PVC.
Figure 11. SEM Micrographs of tensile fracture surfaces of
70/30 NBR/PVC blends; (a) HB1, (b) HP1, (c) BP1.
236
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Shokri A.A. et al.
Iranian Polymer Journal / Volume 15 Number 3 (2006)
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