Transport of Aromatic Hydrocarbons through EPDM/NBR Blends

Abstract

The effect of blend ratio on the cure and transport characteristics of EPDM/NBR blends has been investigated. Cure studies showed that the maximum torque values increased with increase of the percentage of NBR in the blend system. As the percentage of NBR in the blends increased, the penetrant transport has been found to be decreased. The experimental observations have been correlated with the morphology of the blends; attested by SEM photographs. The equilibrium sorption with respect to the nature of penetrant has been observed to follow the order: benzene > toluene > xylene for a given blend ratio. A minor deviation from Fickian trend has been observed for the mechanism of transport. The experimental observations have been compared with the existing theoretical models.