Dynamically vulcanized nitrile rubber/polyoxymethylene thermoplastic elastomers

A new type of oil-resistant thermoplastic elastomer of nitrile rubber (NBR) and polyoxymethylene (POM) prepared by dynamic vulcanization were studied. The effects of the curing systems for NBR, acrylonitrile content in NBR, P OM content, thermal aging, and reprocessing have on the mechanical properti es of NBR/POM thermoplastic elastomers were investigated in detail. NBR/POM thermoplastic elastomers have high tensile strength and excellent oil resi stance at elevated temperature. NBR/POM thermoplastic elastomers can be pro duced in a wide range of hardness. NBRs with higher acrylonitrile content a re more suitable for preparing NBR/POM thermoplastic elastomer with high te nsile strength and good oil resistance. The NBR/POM thermoplastic elastomer has significantly improved electrical insulation properties compared with NBR (Gessler, M. U.S. Pat. 3,037,959, 1962). (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, In c. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2641-2645, 2000.