Adhesion properties of (epoxidized natural rubber)/(ethylene-propylene-diene rubber) blend adhesive: Effect of blend ratio and testing rate

The adhesion properties of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 25)/(ethylene-propylene-diene rubber) blend adhesive were investigated by using various blend ratios of the two rubbers and rate of testing. Coumarone-indene resin was used as the tackifier. Results show that the loop tack and peel strength of adhesives increase steadily up to 60% ENR 25 before decreasing with further increase in % ENR 25. This observation is attributed to an increase in wettability and compatibility up to the optimum value of the ENR 25 blend ratio. However, shear strength increases continuously with increasing percentage of ENR 25, an observation that is ascribed to the increasing cohesive strength of the blend adhesive. In all cases, the adhesion properties increase with increasing coating thickness and testing rates. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:134-139, 2016. (c) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers