DEVELOPMENT OF ELASTOMER BLENDS FOR SPECIFIC DEFENSE APPLICATION

Several aspects of butyl (CIIR)-polychloroprene (CR) rubber blends viz (i) phase morphology evolution with respect to varied blend ratios an d the effect of compatibilizer, (ii) processing characteristics, (iii) vapour impermeability and flame retardancy, (iv) mechanical propertie s, (v) ageing characteristics and (vi) the effect of addition of fille rs into these blends have been studied. Scanning electron microscopy ( SEM) has been used as a tool to investigate the phase morphology and a lso the failure mechanism. Blends based on CR and CIIR are likely to b e important to Defence services for developing several rubber products with the above properties and characteristics.