Preparation and characterization of polymethyltrifluoropropylsilicone modified acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber/fluorosilicon rubber blend

The blending of polymethyltrifluoropropylsilicone-modified acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (MNBR) and fluorosilicon rubber (FSR) at 70 : 30 ratio was investigated. The grafting of mercapto-functionalized polymethyltrifluoropropylsilicone onto acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) by thiol-ene reaction was carried out with 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator in a Haake torque rheometer. The rheological properties of NBR grafting obtained at varying dosages of polymethyltrifluoropropylsilicone in a Haake torque rheometer were studied using torque curves. Grafting reaction was confirmed by 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Results of scanning electron microscopy and dynamic mechanical analysis showed better compatibility of MNBR/FSR blend than NBR/FSR reference blend. Meanwhile, the macro-mechanical properties of the blend significantly improved. The tensile strength and tear strength of MNBR/FSR blend were improved to 14.34 MPa and 44.94 KN/m, respectively, which were 2.92 MPa and 13.03 KN/m higher than those of NBR/FSR reference blend. The low-temperature brittleness of the blend was improved to −57°C, an increase of −6°C compared with that of NBR. These results indicated that MNBR/FSR blend at 70 : 30 ratio had improved compatibility because of the grafting chains that acted as interfacial agents. The low-temperature resistance of the blend was also enhanced. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132 , 42328.