Effect of Antioxidant on Properties of Thermoplastic Natural Rubber Based on ENR/TPU Blends

Thermoplastic natural rubber based on epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) blend was prepared via dynamic vulcanization process. The main objective is to improve thermal properties of the blends. Two types of antioxidant: phenolic antioxidant (Wingstay ® L) and N -(1,3-dimethzlbutyl)- N -Phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD) were used to improve oxidative degradation of the blends. It was found that thermal properties in term of thermal elastic properties and thermal stability can be improved by adding the antioxidants and 6PPD gave the blend with the highest thermal properties. These were measured based on temperature scanning stress relaxation (TSSR) technique. Incorporation of ENR into the TPU caused reduction of the hardness, improved thermal properties, elasticity and oil resistance compared to the neat TPU. These results indicated that the novel high performance TPNRs with high elasticity can be prepared.