Thermogravimetry and swelling characteristics af NBR/EPDM blends with some compatibilizers

The blending of two or more rubber can provide a non-homogeneous blend. Compatibilizer can be used to make a more homogeneous rubber blend. Methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS), bromobutyl rubber (BIIR), and zeolite are used as the compatibilizer in nitrile butadiene rubber/ ethylene propylene diene monomer (NBR/EPDM) blend in this study. This study aims to determine the thermogravimetry and the swelling characteristics of NBR/EPDM blend. NBR/EPDM blend was prepared by a two-roll mill. The vulcanizate was tested with a thermogravimetric analyzer with a heating rate of 10, 15, and 20°C at 30-600°C and immersed in IRM oil, toluene, and n-hexane to determine the swelling characteristics. The degradation of NBR/EPDM blend consists of two stages. The kinetic parameters of the degradation process were studied by applying the Coats and Redfern method. The BIIR as compatibilizer results in the highest activation energy at each stage (24.71 and 20.78 kJ/mol). The MBS result the largest final mass at 600°C (39.63-42.62 %) and also provide the best swelling resistance in IRM, toluene, and hexane. MBS is a suitable compatibilizer for NBR/EPDM blend to get a good thermal and swelling resistance.