Vulcanizates of epoxidized trans-polyisoprene: morphology, mechanical and dynamic properties

Morphology, curing characteristics, mechanical and dynamic properties of vulcanization of epoxidized trans-polyisoprene (ETPI) with different epoxy content were investigated. From scanning electron microscopy micrographs, it is observed that ETPI vulcanizates were a two-phase system. DSC shows that the residual crystallization reduced with increasing epoxy content. With increasing epoxy content, the induction period of cure shortened gradually as well as tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness and tear strength decreased. It is important to note that the wear resistance increased gradually with the increasing of epoxy content. Rebound values at 23 and 70 °C decreased which indicate that damping capacity and wet resistance performance increased, but the rolling resistance increased. DMA tests further show that wet resistance performance enhanced, damping capacity improved, but rolling resistance increased with increasing epoxy content of ETPI.