Ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) is an excellent rubber for outdoor use.
Natural rubber (NR) containing EPDM may show improved weathering resistance. EPDM was
blended with natural rubber with various blend ratios, after which the processing, cure
characteristics, and mechanical properties of the NR/EPDM blends were determined. The results of
the experiments show that the tensile strength of the blends progressively decreased with an
increased amount of EPDM. The morphology of NR/EPDM blends was investigated by scanning
electron microscopy. The heat and weathering resistance of the NR/EPDM blends were determined
in terms of tensile properties of the blends with various blend ratios. The results showed that with the
incorporation of EPDM, the blends possessed better stable tensile strength against thermal and
weathering aging than NR rich blends. The effect of methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS)
as a compatibilizer in a 50/50 NR/EPDM blend on the blend properties has been studied in detail.
The addition of the compatibilizer improved the compatibility of the NR/EPDM blends.