Influence of blend composition on the physical, flame retardancy, dielectric, aging, and solvent resistance properties of poly[ethylene(vinyl acetate)] and polychloroprene

Poly[ethylene(vinyl acetate)] (EVAc) has been blended with polychloroprene (CR) to develop a compound for application in the cable industry. Physical, flame retardancy, dielectric, and solvent resistance properties have been investigated for the blends. On air and brine aging, the tensile properties for 50/50 blend remains almost unchanged, though retention in tensile properties is maximum for CR in solvent aging and for EVAc in air aging. 50/50 blend shows substantially lower set and hardness compared to EVAc. The Limiting oxygen index of 50/50 blend is found to be higher compared to EVAc, which indicates sufficient inflammable capability of 50/50 blend in atmospheric air. A substantially lower dielectric constant, conductivity with good physical properties, and inflammability of 50/50 blend suggests its suitability for use as a cable sheathing compound. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.