Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on polyamide (PA6,6-6) and nitrile rubber (NBR) were prepared by dynamic vulcanization in an internal mixer based on a mixed curing system having dicumyl peroxide as the main component and bismaleimide and sulfur as coagents. The proportion of the components as well as the influence of the sulfur content on the mechanical properties and compression set were studied. The morphologies were determined by scanning electronic microscopy. All the TPVs exhibit better properties than the blend. Elastomeric domains of ca. 5 µm were obtained for the curing system dicumyl peroxide/bismaleimide/sulfur (DCP/BMI/S) in a proportion of 2.4/0.4/0.7 php, independently of the form of the NBR (crumb or powder). These materials showed excellent mechanical properties, reaching a tension of rupture of about 20 MPa. The use of sulfur as curing co-agent gives the material unique properties. All the TPVs exhibited good resistance to non polar solvents (isooctane and oil 20W50) and similar values for the compression set.
Thermoplastic vulcanizates; crosslinking by dicumyl peroxide; curing coagents; morphology of PA/NBR
