Design of PP/EPDM/NBR TPVs with tunable mechanical properties via regulating the core-shell structure

In this work, polypropylene (PP)/ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM)/butadiene acrylonitrile rubber (NBR) TPVs with different EPDM/NBR ratios were prepared by the core-shell dynamic vulcanization. The relationship between the core-shell structure and mechanical properties of the TPVs were thoroughly investigated. The formation of core-shell structure by adding NBR is conducive to the mechanical properties of the TPVs. The ratio of EPDM to NBR has an important effect on the structure and performances of the final products, and there is a critical ratio for this effect change. Transmission electron microscope (TEM), tensile test, reprocessing test, ageing test, rheological behavior test and stress relaxation were used to characterize the morphology and properties of the TPVs in detail. It was found that when the ratio of EPDM/NBR was 2:4, the tensile strength increased by ~14% compared with PP/EPDM TPV without NBR. Meanwhile, the reprocessing properties, rheological characteristics and instantaneous tensile deformation, etc. all exhibited sudden changes at this critical ratio.     

Preparation and properties of novel fluorosilicone thermoplastic vulcanizate with cross‐linking–controlled core‐shell structure

A new fluorosilicone thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) composed of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), silicone rubber (SR), and fluororubber (FKM) was successfully prepared through dynamic vulcanization. The morphological structure of the TPVs had core‐shell elastomer particles dispersed in a continuous PVDF matrix. Furthermore, the cross‐linking of core‐shell structure was controlled by adopting different curing agent. The effect of cross‐linking–controlled core‐shell structure on the morphology, crystallization behavior, stress relaxation test, solvent‐resistant properties of the obtained TPVs were investigated. It was found that the shell cross‐link had a significant influence on the crystallinity of the PVDF phase. The core‐shell bicross‐linked TPV was found to provide the lowest rate of relaxation. An obvious stress softening phenomenon was observed in the uniaxial loading‐unloading cycles in tension. The bicross‐linked TPV had good solvent resistant properties. The tensile strength of the bicross‐linked TPV was still 12 MPa even after immersed in butyl acetate for 48 hours.     

Superior heat‐resistant and oil‐resistant blends based on dynamically vulcanized hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber and polyamide 12

High‐performance thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) are the new generation of TPVs that provide superior heat and oil aging behavior. TPVs based on hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber and polyamide 12 (PA12) have been first developed by the dynamic vulcanization process, in which selective cross‐linking of the elastomer phase during melt mixing with the thermoplastic phase (PA12) was carried out simultaneously. In this present investigation, hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR)/PA12 and partially hydrogenated carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (XHNBR)/PA12 with blend ratio of 50:50, 60:40, and 70:30 wt% were prepared at 185°C at a rotor speed of 80 rpm for 5 min. Di‐(2‐tert‐butyl peroxy isopropyl) benzene was chosen as the suitable cross‐linking peroxide to pursue the dynamic vulcanization. TPV based on 50:50 HNBR/PA12 and XHNBR/PA12 show better physico‐mechanical properties, rheological behavior, thermal stability, dynamic mechanical analysis, and creep behavior among all the TPVs. Morphology study reveals that dispersed phase morphology has been formed with an average dimension of the rubber particles in the range of 0.8–1.5 µm. For aging test, TPVs were exposed to air and ASTM oil 3, respectively. Air aging tests were carried out in hot air oven for 72 hr at 125°C, while the oil aging tests were carried out after immersion of the samples into the oils in an aging oven. After aging, there is only slight deterioration in the physico‐mechanical properties of the TPVs. In case of 50:50 blends of HNBR/PA12 and XHNBR/PA12, the retention of the properties upon after aging was found excellent. These TPVs are designed to find potential application in automotive sector especially for under‐hood‐application, where high‐temperature resistance as well as high oil resistance is of prime importance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel fluorosilicone thermoplastic vulcanizates prepared via core‐shell dynamic vulcanization: Effect of fluororubber/silicone rubber ratio on morphology,crystallization behavior,and mechanical properties

Recently, we have reported a novel core‐shell dynamic vulcanization method to prepare poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/fluororubber (FKM)/silicone rubber (SR) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) with cross‐linked rubber core‐shell particles. However, the shell thickness on the properties has not been studied in detail. Herein, these PVDF‐based TPVs different FKM‐shell thickness were prepared by changing FKM/SR ratios. The effect of FKM‐shell/SR‐core ratio on morphology, crystallization, and mechanical properties of the ternary TPVs was studied. The results showed that the FKM shell had more positive effect on interfacial‐induced crystallization behavior than the SR core due to its better compatibility with PVDF. When the FKM/SR ratio was <1, FKM was not enough to encapsulate SR completely, which resulted in the formation of imperfect core‐shell structure. However, when the FKM/SR ratio was >1, perfect core‐shell structure was formed. Therefore, the mechanical properties improved with increasing FKM content; especially, a remarkable improvement was observed when FKM/SR ratio was >1. This study could provide more information for the design of TPVs with core‐shell structure.     

Study of the Impact Resistance of Physically and Dynamically Vulcanized Mixtures of PP/EPDM

Physically and dynamically vulcanized (TPV) mixtures of polypropylene (PP) and ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) are prepared by extrusion in order to improve the impact resistance of PP. To enhance the chemical compatibility and provide better interaction between the PP and EPDM in the physical mixtures, both polymers are modified with maleic anhydride (MAH) in solution using xylene as solvent and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as initiator. The qualitative and quantitative determination of the degree of grafting is study by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and varying the amount of DCP and/or amount of MAH in order to determine the optimum amounts to obtain the highest degree of grafting. The effect of the relation of PP/EPDM, the amount of reinforcement filler and mix rate are studied for modified polymer mixtures (PP-g-MAH/EPDM-g-MAH). For the TPV of PP/EPDM the effects of amount and triallylisocyanurate (TAC) as coupling agent in presence of different amounts of DCP are studied. The physical mixtures of modified polymers prepared with a PP/EPDM ratio of 80/20 and the TPVs blends prepared with a PP/EPDM ratio of 70/30 and containing 15% filler at 60 rpm show the highest impact resistance. The impact resistance, melt flow index and hardness of the different mixtures are measured to determine their possible applications to prepare front panels and bumpers for automobiles by injection molding.     

Preparation and flammability of EPDM/PP/Mg(OH)2 dynamic vulcanizates

Magnesium hydroxide (MH) flame retardant dynamic vulcanized ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM)/polypropylene (PP) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) were prepared by a twin‐screw extruder. Influences of MH on their morphology, mechanical properties, flammability, and crystallization behavior have been investigated. Static tensile measurements exhibited that TPVs have higher mechanical properties than un‐vulcanized EPDM/PP/MH blends (UVBs). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies showed that the formation of the larger‐size “micro‐encapsulated structure” where the MH aggregates were covered with a cross‐linked rubber phase improved the interaction between MH and polymer matrix. Results of limiting oxygen index (LOI) and microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) confirmed that TPVs had superior fire‐resistant properties to UVBs. SEM images showed that more uniform and compact charred layers were generated in TPVs. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that the crystallization behavior of the flame retardant TPVs changed marginally with increase in MH content. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Recent Developments for EPDM-Based Thermoplastic Vulcanisates

An overview will be given on thermoplastic vulcanisates (TPVs). Like other thermoplastic elastomers, TPVs combine the elastic and mechanical properties of thermoset cross-linked rubbers with the melt processability of thermoplastics. Emphasis will be on general-purpose TPVs, based on resol-cross-linked EPDM/PP/oil blends. The following recent scientific developments will be discussed in detail: resol cross-linking chemistry, extruder dynamic vulcanisation, TPV morphology, oil distribution, TPV elasticity model and TPV rheology. A series of scientific questions and technological problems, which are challenging future TPV developments, will be put forward at the end.     

Uncross‐linked polypropylene (PP)/ethylene‐propylene‐diene (EPDM)/multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and dynamically vulcanized PP/EPDM/MWCNT nanocomposites

In this study, relatively large amounts of polypropylene (PP), ethylene‐propylene‐diene (EPDM), and multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) were melt‐mixed with and without DCP. Dynamically vulcanized PP/EPDM (TPV)/MWCNT nanocomposites were prepared by two methods: the MWCNTs were added either before or after the dynamic vulcanization of the blends. The effects of composition, rotor speed, and dynamic vulcanization on their surface resistivity were investigated. The surface resistivity of uncross‐linked PP/EPDM/MWCNT nanocomposites increases with increasing the content of EPDM. At PP/EPDM (70/30 wt%) nanocomposite with 1.5 phr MWCNT, slightly lower surface resistivity is obtained by increasing the rotor speed during mixing. However, for PP/EPDM (50/50 wt%) and PP/EPDM (30/70 wt%) nanocomposites, surface resistivity decreases with increasing the rotor speed from 30 to 60 rpm. But further increase in rotor speed (90 rpm) leads to an increase of surface resistivity. When the MWCNTs were added after the dynamic vulcanization of the blends, the surface resistivity of TPV70/MWCNTnanocomposite is lower than that of uncross‐linked PP/EPDM/MWCNT nanocomposite. However, when the MWCNTs were added before the dynamic vulcanization of the blends, the surface resistivity of TPV70/MWCNT nanocomposite is >10¹² Ω/square. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

PP/EPDM/CaCO_3三元复合材料的相结构及力学性能研究

采用以化学键合方式在CaCO3表面包覆上聚丙烯蜡和将改性后的CaCO3先与EPDM复合、再与PP复合的工艺,制备PP/EPDM/CaCO3三元复合材料,以期在PP基体材料中得到EPDM包裹CaCO3的相结构.通过测量三元复合体系中各组分的表面张力,计算各可能组分对之间的界面张力和黏结功,分析三元复合体系中可能的相结构.热力学计算结果表明,三元复合体系中既存在以EPDM为壳、CaCO3为核的"核壳结构",又存在CaCO3与EPDM各自独立分散在PP基体中的结构.电镜照片进一步揭示,在PP/EPDM/改性CaCO3三元复合体系与PP/EPDM/未改性CaCO3三元复合体系中,这两种相结构的比例是不同的,在前者中以核壳结构为主.CaCO3表面性质的不同是产生这一差别的原因.由于这一结构差别的存在,PP/EPDM/改性CaCO3三元复合体系比PP/EPDM/未改性CaCO3三元复合体系具有更好的力学性能.当EPDM用量为8 phr、改性CaCO3用量为15 phr时,三元复合体系的冲击强度达14.25 kJ/m2,是纯PP的3.17倍.     

Biobased PLA/NR-PMMA TPV with balanced stiffness-toughness: In-situ interfacial compatibilization,performance and toughening model

Using rubber to toughen polylactide (PLA) is always accompanied by the sharp reduction in stiffness. Herein, PLA/poly (methyl methacrylate) grafted natural rubber (NR-PMMA) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) with balanced stiffness-toughness were fabricated. With the addition of 40 wt % NR-PMMA, the impact strength and tensile toughness of PLA/NR-PMMA TPV significantly improved to about 102.7 kJ/m² and 66.1 MJ/m³, respectively, compared with those of 2.7 kJ/m² and 2.4 MJ/m³ for the pure PLA. Meanwhile, the yielding stress was maintained at 34.5 MPa. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the formation of in-situ interfacial compatibilization between PLA and rubber phases. Both tensile and impact toughening mechanism were studied and deduced as considerable energy dissipation provided by the continuous rubber phase. Instrumented notched impact tests demonstrated that the energy dissipating in crack propagation process contributed to the main part of impact toughness. In addition, a novel toughening model based on bicontinuous structure was incorporated, which showed good applicability in predicting the impact strength of PLA/NR-PMMA TPVs.     

Double yielding in PA6/TPV‐MAH blends: Effect of crosslinking degree of the dispersed phase

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on PP and EPDM (the ratio is 5:5) with different crosslinking degrees were prepared using different contents of phenolic resins, and then blended with polyamide 6 (PA6). The results indicated that with an increase in crosslinking degree, the double yielding phenomenon in PA6/TPV blends became more distinct, the yield stress of the first yield point and the yield stress difference of the two yield points decreased; however, the yield strain of the first yield point did not change with the increasing crosslinking degree of the TPV, but the yield strain of the second yield point increased, resulting in a more broadened yield region. The SEM results showed that with an increase in the crosslinking degree of TPV, the diameter of TPV increased in the core layer, and the orientation degree of TPV in the skin and subskin layer deceased, accompanying with a decrease of the ratio of length to diameter (L/D) of the droplets. The morphology evolution of the PA6/TPV blend during the tensile test was also studied, and the results agreed well with the model we proposed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 912–922, 2009     

Prediction models for the key mechanical properties of EPDM/PP blends as affected by processing parameters and their correlation with stress relaxation and phase morphologies

The optimum condition of processing parameters (mixing temperature, rotor speed, fill factor, and blend ratio) and prediction models for the best key mechanical properties of ethylene propylene diene terpolymer/polypropylene thermoplastic vulcanizates (EPDM/PP TPVs) was investigated by using the Taguchi's optimization technique and data analysis. The results reveal that all of the processing parameters affected significantly the mechanical properties of the EPDM/PP TPVs, but specifically the blend ratio contributed more than 90% in effect size on tensile strength and tension set. There were three main factors, the mixing temperature, the fill factor, and the blend ratio, influencing the elongation at break. Furthermore, the mathematic models were effective and reliable in predicting the properties of TPVs. The correlation of mechanical properties, stress relaxation, and phase morphologies of the TPVs prepared from the predicted models was also investigated. It can be summarized that the morphological structure and stress relaxation of the TPVs were strongly governed by the EPDM content in the blend ratio. That is, the higher the EPDM content, the better phase morphology having smaller size of the vulcanized EPDM particles distributed in the PP matrix and the higher rate of stress relaxation. Moreover, these two properties were then principally pushing the mechanical characteristics of the EPDM/PP TPVs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Palm Based Fly Ash Reinforced Dynamically Vulcanized Natural Rubber/Polypropylene Blends

Palm based fly ash (PFA) is a solid waste of palm oil processing industry which contains silica components. These components are typically used to improve the mechanical properties of rubber-based products. This research aims to study the effect of the PFA as a filler on the morphology and properties of thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) based on a mixture of natural rubber (NR) and polypropylene (PP). TPV samples were prepared using the internal mixer at a mass ratio of NR/PP 70/30. Maleated polypropylene (MA-g-PP) 5% mass was added as a compatibilizer, filler content was varied from 15 to 45 per hundred rubber (phr). Paraffin and palm oil were added as a plasticizer with contents of 5 to 50 phr. Other additives include ZnO 5 phr, stearic acid 2 phr, trimethylquinone 1 phr, mercaptodibenzo-thiozyldisulfide 0.6 phr and 3 phr sulfur. The results showed that the use of PFA provides good tensile strength properties, a relatively homogeneous morphology, and low water absorption rate. The use of paraffin plasticizer produces a higher tensile strength compared to palm oil, but the elongation at break which produced the contrary. The best morphology and tensile properties of TPV (NR/PP 70/30) are on PFA and paraffin contents of 30 phr and 25 phr, respectively.     

Ductile–brittle‐transition phenomenon in polypropylene/ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber blends obtained by dynamic packing injection molding: A new understanding of the rubber‐toughening mechanism

For a more complete understanding of the toughening mechanism of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber (EPDM) blends, dynamic packing injection molding was used to control the phase morphology and rubber particle orientation in the matrix. The relative impact strength of the blends increased at low EPDM contents, and then a definite ductile–brittle (D–B) transition was observed when the EPDM content reached 25 wt %, at which point blends should fail in the ductile mode with conventional molding. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate the shear‐induced crystal structure, morphology, orientation, and phase separation of the blends. WAXD results showed that the observed D–B transition took place mainly for a constant crystal structure (α form). Also, no remarkable changes in the crystallinity and melting point of PP were observed by DSC. The highly oriented and elongated rubber particles were seen via SEM at high EPDM contents. Our results suggest that Wu's criterion is no longer valid when dispersed rubber particles are elongated and oriented. The possible fracture mechanism is discussed on the basis of the stress concentration in a filler‐dispersed matrix. It can be concluded that not only the interparticle distance but also the stress fields around individual particles play an important role in polymer toughening. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2086–2097, 2002     

BRITTLE-DUCTILE TRANSITION OF PP/EPDM/ELASTOMERIC NANO-PARTICLE TERNARY BLENDS

The brittle-ductile transition is a very important phenomenon for polymer toughening. Polypropylene （PP） is often toughened by using rubbers, e.g., ethylene-propylene diene monomer （EPDM） has often been used as a modifier. In this article, the toughening of PP by using a new kind of rubber, known as elastomeric nano-particle （ENP）, and the brittleductile transition of PP/EPDM/ENP was studied. Compared to PP/EPDM binary blends, the brittle-ductile transition of PP/EPDM/ENP ternary blends occurred at lower EPDM contents. SEM experiment was carried out to investigate the etched and impact-fractured surfaces. ENP alone had no effect on the impact strength of PP, however, with the same EPDM content, PP/EPDM/ENP ternary blends had smaller particle size, better dispersion and smaller interparticle distance in contrary to PP/EPDM binary blends, which promoted the brittle-ductile transition to occur earlier.     

Radiation effect on properties of carbon black filled NBR/EPDM rubber blends

Rubber blend of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber (50/50) has been loaded with increasing contents, up to 100 phr, of reinforcing filler, namely, high abrasion furnace (HAF) carbon black. Prepared composites have been subjected to gamma radiation doses up to 250 kGy to induce radiation vulcanization under atmospheric conditions. Mechanical properties, namely, tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus at 100% elongation (M₁₀₀), and hardness have been followed up as a function of irradiation dose and degree of loading with filler. On the other hand, variation of the swelling number as a physical property, as a function of same parameters, however, in car oil as well as brake oil has been undertaken. In addition, the electrical properties of prepared composites, namely, their electrical conductivity, were also evaluated. The thermal behavior of the prepared composites was also investigated. The results obtained indicate that improvement has been attained in different properties of loaded NBR/EPDM composites with respect to unloaded ones.     

Shape memory properties of dynamically vulcanized poly(lactic acid)/nitrile butadiene rubber (PLA/NBR) thermoplastic vulcanizates: The effect of ACN content in NBR

Morphology structure and interfacial interaction are crucial factors for shape memory thermoplastic vulcanizates. In this study, shape memory thermoplastic vulcanizates based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) were prepared through dynamic vulcanization. The influence of acrylonitrile (ACN) content on the morphology, compatibility, shape memory property, and mechanical property was investigated. A co‐continuous structure was observed. The interfacial compatibilization between PLA and NBR phases occurred, resulting in a significantly improved interface adhesion and interfacial interaction, which was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. With such a novel structure, the PLA/NBR TPVs owned an excellent shape memory property and further improved with increasing ACN content of NBR, which could be explained that the cross‐linked continuous NBR phase provided a stronger recovery driving force. In the meantime, tensile strength and elongation at break of TPVs increased with increase in ACN content. It is concluded that the preparation of dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic vulcanizate with co‐continuous structure and strong interfacial adhesion is beneficial to obtain outstanding shape memory effect.     

Preparation of fully cross‐linked CNBR/PP‐g‐GMA and CNBR/PP/PP‐g‐GMA thermoplastic elastomers and their morphology,structure and properties

Binary CNBR/PP‐g‐GMA and ternary CNBR/PP/PP‐g‐GMA thermoplastic elastomers were prepared by reactive blending carboxy nitrile rubber (CNBR) powder with nanometer dimension and polypropylene functionalized with glycidyl methacrylate (PP‐g‐GMA). Morphology observation by using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and TEM revealed that the size of CNBR dispersed phase in CNBR/PP‐g‐GMA binary blends was much smaller than that of the corresponding CNBR/PP binary blends. Thermal behavior of CNBR/PP‐g‐GMA and CNBR/PP blends was studied by DSC. Comparing with the plain PP‐g‐GMA, T_c of PP‐g‐GMA in CNBR/PP‐g‐GMA blends increased about 10 °C. Both thermodynamic and kinetic effects would influence the crystallization behavior of PP‐g‐GMA in CNBR/PP‐g‐GMA blends. At a fixed content of CNBR, the apparent viscosity of the blending system increased with increasing the content of PP‐g‐GMA. FTIR spectrum verified that the improvement of miscibility of CNBR and PP‐g‐GMA was originated from the reaction between carboxy end groups of CNBR and epoxy groups of GMA grafted onto PP molecular chains. Comparing with CNBR/PP blends, the tensile strength, stress at 100% strain, and elongation at break of CNBR/PP‐g‐GMA blends were greatly improved. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1042–1052, 2004     

Effects of UV irradiation on physico‐mechanical properties of EPDM/buckminsterfullerene composite

Ethylene propylene diene rubber‐fullerene (EPDM/C60) composite, partially crosslinked by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, was prepared and characterized for crosslink density, mechanical properties and thermal behavior. FT‐IR analysis showed peak disappearance at 1688 cm^?1, corresponding to the unsaturation of EPDM, and the appearance of new peaks relating to the formation of oxidation products of C60, such as epoxide, keto, aldehyde and carboxylic groups. Solubility studies demonstrated the dissolution of pristine EPDM in toluene even after a longer period of UV exposure, whereas EPDM/C60 composite became insoluble and/or swollen after 6 hr of UV exposure, indicating the formation of partial crosslinking between EPDM and C60. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements revealed an increase in the glass transition temperature peak of UV‐cured EPDM. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that UV exposure reduced the thermal decomposition temperature of EPDM/C60, pristine EPDM and dicumyl peroxide (DCP)‐cured EPDM. The modulus, tensile stress and elongation at break of EPDM/C60 composites were greatly influenced by the duration of UV irradiation. Comparison of UV‐cured EPDM/C60 composite with DCP‐cured EPDM confirmed the superior strength properties of the former system. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ternary blends based on poly (ethylene-naphthalate)/glass fibers/nitrile rubber: Preparation,properties and effect of dynamic vulcanization

This work studied the possibility of utilizing nitrile rubber (NBR) to modify the impact properties of poly (ethylene-naphthalate) (PEN). The PEN/NBR ratio used changed from 100/0 to 60/40. At the same time, glass fibers (GF), 40% weight of the PEN component, were used to reinforce the blends to compensate for the loss of mechanical properties of PEN by incorporation of NBR. The results showed that the impact strength of the PEN/GF/NBR blend (PEN/NBR = 60/40) was increased up to 27.6J/m, nearly 5 times higher than that of the neat PEN. Meanwhile, the tensile strength and flexural strength were still maintained at as high as 66.1 MPa and 98.2 MPa, respectively. Dynamic vulcanization further improved the mechanical properties of the PEN/GF/NBR blends, which provided routes to the design of new PEN/elastomer blends. Other properties of the PEN/GF/NBR blends were also investigated in terms of morphology of fractured surface, dynamic mechanical behavior, thermal stability and crystallization, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively.