Microstructure and properties of fluoroelastomer/butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber interpenetrating polymer networks

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on fluoroelastomer/ butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber (FKM/NBR) by molten blending at a high temperature and chemical cross-linking of two components were prepared. The influence of the two networks component on the mechanical properties and thermostabilities was studied. The experimental results show that the mechanical properties of the IPNs are superior to those of the individual FKM and NBR networks due to forming the case of interpenetrating and intercross-linking between the two networks, the mechanical properties and thermal resistance exhibit higher values when 80/20 (w/w) FKM and NBR is blended and respectively cured simultaneously. The co-continuous morphology of the IPNs in the blends of 80/20 (w/w) FKM/NBR is found by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) determination shows that the blends of 80/20 (w/w) FKM/NBR have better compatibility, and the glass transition temperature of the elastomer is −21.5 °C.