Polyamide-reinforced ethylene-propylene-diene rubber compatibilized with chlorinated polyethylene

Vulcanizates of blends of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber and polyamide copolymers were prepared by reactive compatibilization. A reactive route was employed for compatibilizing these blends with the addition of chlorinated polyethylene (CPE). The influence of the compatibilizers, crosslinking agents, blend compositions, and addition modes of the compatibilizers on the mechanical properties of the blends was investigated. The morphologies of the blends were determined with scanning electron microscopy. The addition of CPE was found to reduce the particle size of the dispersed phase remarkably. The stability of the blends with compatibilizers was measured by high-temperature thermal aging. The mechanical properties were examined by stress-strain measurements and dynamic mechanical thermal measurements; the addition of polyamide copolymers caused significant improvements in the tensile properties of these blends. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1727-1736, 2003.