Plasticization of Nitrile Elastomers by in Situ Grafted Acrylate Monomers
Abstract Grafting of acrylate monomers, such as 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, onto nitrile rubber during the normal cure cycle of the elastomer led to a significant improvement in low-temperature flexibility. This method was shown to provide not only permanent plasticization, but also more than twice the effectiveness obtained by the simple addition of a polymeric acrylic plasticizer. It was found that the improvement in flexibility was directly proportional to the amount of monomer employed. The structure of the monomer was also important in determining its effectiveness, since variations in both the length and chemical composition of the ester side-chain led to changes in the low temperature properties. Improvements were obtained with longer side-chains, while the presence of oxygen in the side chain reduced the effectiveness compared to that of a pure hydrocarbon side-chain. Some slight effect of peroxide type used in the cure system was observed, but no differences in flexibility occurred with variations in cure temperatures between 163° and 204°C.