: NBR/PVC Blends for Optimized Physical Properties in Extrusion Compounds

Nitrile rubber (NBR) is a polar elastomeric polymer that can be blended with other elastomers and thermoplastics. The predominant thermoplastic blend with NBR is with PVC. These two polymers form a miscible blend with synergistic properties of imparting ozone resistance to the NBR and flexibility to the PVC. This study compares NBR at various levels of crosslink and part level with different levels of plasticizer when blended with PVC.  The NBR polymers consist of both linear and crosslinked types. The PVC compounds were mixed in a lab mixer with the addition of the NBR polymers and final properties were evaluated.  The properties that were evaluated include Brabender stability, aged and unaged physical properties, compression set, fluid aging, heat aging, abrasion resistance, effect of plasticizer level, plus several other key properties.