Dynamically vulcanized high-density polyethylene/nitrile butadiene rubber blends compatibilized by chlorinated polyethylene

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) blends were prepared by dynamic vulcanization where chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) was used as a compatibilizer. The effects of CPE on mechanical properties, Mullins effect, dynamic mechanical properties, and morphology of the blends were investigated systematically. Experimental results indicated that CPE had an excellent compatibilization on the HDPE/NBR blends. Dynamic mechanical analysis studies showed that the glass transition temperature of NBR phase was slightly shifted toward higher temperature with the CPE incorporation, leading to the increasing interface compatibility. Mullins effect results showed that the compatibilized HDPE/NBR blend had relatively lower residual deformation and internal friction than that of HDPE/NBR blend, indicating the improvement of elasticity. Morphology studies showed that the size of the NBR particles was decreased with the existence of CPE; moreover, the fracture surface of HDPE/CPE/NBR TPV was relatively smoother than that of HDPE/NBR blend.