Abstract:
This research has concerned synthesis and application of poly(isoprene-b-ethyl acrylate)and poly(isoprene-b-methyl methacrylate) block copolymers. The block copolymers wereprepared via a free radical polymerization through the use of BDC andlor TD iniferters. GPC,1 H-NMR, FTIR, DSC and gravimetry were used to analyzed the products and it was found thatpercentage yield and molecular weight of the product increased with reaction time. Results fromDSC analysis of the products showed 2 glass transition temperatures, corresponding to the T,(s)of each relevant homopolymers. By performing tensile test, it was found that tensile stress andtensile strain of natural-acrylic rubber blend were 8.5 MPa and 2553% respectively. By adding\ the synthesized block copolymers, the tensile properties did not increase significantly regardlessof copolymer structures. Finally, consideration of micrographs of various blends revealed thatphase size of acrylic rubber decreased after most of the poly(isoprene-b-ethyl acrylate)copolymers were added. However, size of acrylic phase rarely decreased upon the addition of allpoly(isoprene-b-methyl methacrylate).