Abstract
The effect of blend composition and dynamic vulcanization on processability, mechanical properties, swelling behavior, and morphology of virgin poly(vinylchloride)/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (PVCv/NBR) and waste poly(vinylchloride)/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (PVCw/NBR) blends were investigated. Blends were prepared in a Haake Rheometer at 150°C and a rotor speed of 50 rpm. The Haake torque was used to investigate the mixing process. It was found that PVCw/NBR blends have lower mechanical properties and swelling resistance but higher stabilization torque and mechanical energy than PVCv/NBR blends. However, dynamically vulcanized PVCw/NBR blends exhibit mechanical properties that are superior to PVCv/NBR and unvulcanized PVCw/NBR blends. The introduction of a cross-link into the elastomer phase is responsible for the enhancement of the mechanical properties of dynamic vulcanized PVCw/NBR blends.