Polyblend systems of polyurethane (AU) and ethylene acrylic elastomer (vamac) using the sulfur cure systems

Blends of polyurethane (Vibrathane-5008, Uniroyal Co., USA) and ethylene ac rylic elastomer (vamac B-124, du Pont, USA) prepared through three differen t blending techniques have been studied over the entire composition range. The processability and the aging properties of the polyurethane elastomer w ere improved as a result of blending with ethylene acrylic elastomer. IR sp ectral analysis of the (50:50) blend of the two elastomers, without any cur atives, suggested that the interchain crosslinking reaction occurred betwee n the two elastomers phases on heat treatment. The thermal stability of the blends also improved on heat treatment, before addition of curatives. Phas e morphological study revealed that the extractability of the single phase by solvent was also restricted on preheating the preblends, probably due to the interchain crosslinking. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.