Rheological studies of SBS/EVA blends modified with bio-based cashew nut shell liquid

Research on bio-plasticizers is a topic of strategic interest in polymer blends. A bio-plasticizer, cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), was studied in blends of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer (SBS). In the literature does not report the addition of plasticizers to SBS/EVA blend. Statistical analyses showed that there was a significant difference in mechanical properties (tension at break, hardness and elongation at break) vs. the unplasticized blend. The minimum CNSL concentration required for a statistical difference was 10 phr. The Carreau-Yasuda rheological model was used to obtain rheological parameters in these blends. The plasticizing influence of CNSL was confirmed by rheology. The effects of CNSL on creep and recovery were evaluated for the SBS/EBA blends. Burger ' s model explained well SBS/EVA creep compliance. Moreover, its parameters (Newtonian dashpots and Hookean springs) were evaluated as a function of the CNSL concentrations. The bio-plasticizer concentration influenced significant correlations among the rheological creep-recovery tests, thus enabling a considerable increase in the elastic phase. Experimental creep-recovery data and curve fit were in good agreement.