Mechanical Properties and Swelling Behavior of Cross-Linked Natural Rubber/Chitosan Blends

This article discusses properties such as surface hardness, solvent uptake, cross-link density, diffusion coefficient, and tensile properties of vulcanized natural rubber (NR)/chitosan (CS) blends. Dicumyl peroxide was selected as a cross-linking agent. In the case of tensile properties, peroxide vulcanized blends show higher tensile strength and hardness (Shore A) than the unvulcanized blend. The effect of thermal aging on mechanical properties of vulcanized NR/CS blends was also examined. The solvent-resistance properties of these vulcanized blends were investigated by the equilibrium swelling method using benzene as solvent. The impact of weight fraction of chitosan on the transport properties of vulcanized blend was also analyzed. The improved solvent resistance for peroxide vulcanized blends proved the formation of cross-links in the rubber phase. The blends showed reduced swelling rate due to the tortuosity of the path and the reduced transport area in blended samples.