The Effects of Trans- Polyoctylene Rubber (TOR) as a Compatibilizer on The Properties of Epoxidized Natural Rubber/Recycled Silicone Catheter (ENR-25/rSC) Vulcanizate

In this study, the influence of Trans- Polyoctylene Rubber (TOR) as a compatibilizer on the cure characteristics, tensile and physical properties of ENR-25/rSC vulcanizate were determined. Five different loading of TOR (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 phr) were prepared and added into the vulcanizate. Results indicated that the scorch time (t2) and cure time (t90) bacame shorter as TOR increased, while minimum torque (ML) and maximum torque (MH) increased. The incorporation of TOR with the vulcanizates enhanced the tensile strength (Ts), modulus (M100) crosslinking density and hardness values. However, the elongation at break percentage of compatibilized vulcanizates became lower than uncompatibilized vulcanizates