Rubber-based blends

The vulcanization process has implications in the stability of the rubber-based blends, causing a modification of the free volume proportional to the degree of cure [54],... 

Table 4.2 Natural rubber-based blends involving other organic phases... 

Other examples of rubber-based blends used in wound dressing applications are silicone mbber [97] and SBR [98],... 

Mohamed et al. [149] evaluated the use of several types of sulfosuccinate anionic surfactants in the dispersion of MWCNTs in NR latex matrices. Sodium l,5-dioxo-l,5-bis(3-phenylpropoxy)-3-((3-phenylpropoxy)carbonyl) pentane-2-sul-fonate showed the best dispersion capabihty and improved the electrical conductivity of the resulted composites. These results have significant implications in the development of new materials for aerospace applications because the filler s dispersiou directly influences the properties of the final material. Jo et al. [150] obtained pristine MWCNt-Ti02 nanoparticles filled with NR-CllR and epoxidized NR-CUR, concluding that the second blend proved higher thermal conductivity because the epoxy branches in ENR and the functionalized MWCNT form a stronger network. Conductivity in CNTs reinforced with rubber-based blends can be improved when reaching a critical concentration of the filler known as the percolation threshold, when a continuous network structure is formed. Thankappan Nair et al. [151] discussed the percolation mechanism in MWCNT-polypropylene-NR blends. 

In conclusion, rubber-based blends are promising materials that can be designed to fulfill the requirements necessary for various types of applications— from medical devices and biomedical applications, to packaging applications, military and aerospace applications, tire industry applications, and structural applications. The chapter also addresses a new trend in the field of rubber-based product development— recycling old parts into powders and incorporating them in different matrices. 

Volume 1 of this book is comprised of 25 chapters, and discusses the different types of natural rubber based blends and IPNs. The first seven chapters discuss the general aspects of natural rubber blends like their miscibility, manufacturing methods, production and morphology development. The next ten chapters describe exclusively the properties of natural rubber blends with different polymers like thermoplastic, acrylic plastic, block or graft copolymers, etc. Chapter 18 deals entirely with clay reinforcement in natural rubber blends. Chapters 19 to 23 explain the major techniques used for characterizing various natural rubber based blends. The final two chapters give a brief explanation of life cycle analysis and the application of natural rubber based blends and IPNs. 

Natural Rubber Based Blends and IPNs State of the Art, New Challenges and Opportunities... 

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