Structure Property Relationship of Polymer Blends:Effect of Grafting on Mechanical Properties

The behavior of polymer blend depends on the properties of the individual components in the blend, the proportion in which they are present in blend and the structure and morphology of the blend. The structure of the dissolved molecules of the blend in the polymer-polymer mixture plays a major role in the molecular state of dispersion, the adhesion between the phases and consequently influences most of the properties and applications. In the present study we have made use of grafting of a polymer on to the natural rubber backbone leading to chemical modification of the poly-isoprene allylic double bond system. This type of modification leads to a change, not only in chemical properties but physical properties as well, like increased hardness, strength with decreased tackiness and the blend behaves like a thermoplastic rubber without making use of vulcanization. In order to optimize the processing conditions, the properties like miscibility characteristics, torque and melt viscosity were studied.