ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the thennodynamic and processing considerations involved in preparing rubber-rubber blends and reviews recent developments in the analysis and perfonnance of such materials. Since it has been recognized for some time that the prospects are limited for continued synthesis of new polymeric materials with practical utility, efforts to develop blends for diverse applications have continued to burgeon. Reviews of rubber blends were published by Corish and Powell in 1974 and Roland in 1989. The focus in this chapter is on more recent advances. With more than half of domestic rubber consumption going into tires, and considering that all major tire components with the exception of the tread ply can and have been successfully fonnulated using rubber blends, it is obvious that tires represent the major application of rubberrubber blends. The properties of blends, however, are described here in general tenns, with specific applications undoubtedly suggesting themselves.