Study on crystallization and compatibility of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)/polyoxymethlene (POM) blends modified by a polyether polyol
Abstract Blends of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and polyoxymethlene (POM) were prepared by melt mixing, with a polyether polyol (Model KGF400D) used as the compatibilizer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the cryogenically fractured surfaces of the blends clearly, which showed that the compatibility of NBR/POM blends was significantly enhanced with the addition of KGF400D. Both differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and rubber process analysis (RPA) results clearly indicated the mechanism of compatibility improvement. Dual functions of KGF400D within the NBR/POM blends were found: one was the lubrication effect and the other was the hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl of KGF400D and ether oxygen group of POM or lone pair electron in the cyano group of NBR.