Effects of Chlorinated Trans-1,4-polyisoprene on Cure, Morphology, and Mechanical Properties of Neoprene Blends and Their Vulcanizates

Chlorinated trans-1,4-polyisoprene (CTPI) was synthesized by a water phase suspension method. The crystalline morphology of nascent CTPI was characterized by polarizing optical microscopy (POM). The effect of CTPI on the curing characteristics, mechanical properties, and fracture surface of neoprene/trans-1,4-polyisoprene (CR/TPI) blend vulcanizates were investigated. The experimental results showed that the scorch time and the optimum time of CR/TPI/CTPI compounds were shortened with the incorporation of CTPI into the compounds. At the same time, the dispersibility of carbon black in the compounds was improved. With the incorporation of CTPI into the CR/TPI compounds, the fatigue failure surface of CR/TPI/CTPI vulcanizate was quiet different from that of CR compounds. The flexing resistance of CR/TPI/CTPI vulcanizates obviously improved, and the fatigue failure surface showed zigzag morphology. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed that the compatibility between CR and TPI was improved with the incorporation of CTPI into CR/TPI blends.