Miscibility of chlorinated polymers with epoxidized natural rubber II. Blends with chlorinated polypropylene and with poly(vinylidene chloride‐alkyl acrylate) copolymer

The compatibility of epoxidized natural rubber (at the 50 mol‐% oxirane level) (ENR) with chlorinated polypropylene (CPP) and a poly(vinylidene chloride) copolymer (PVDCC) was investigated in the complete composition range. Phase‐contrast microscopy revealed microheterogeneities attributed to the existence of gel particles in the solution‐cast films. A more uniform phase distribution was obtained in hotpressed films. Dynamic mechanical spectroscopy and DSC results indicated that both systems are miscible at the segmental level. Ultimate elongation increases at significant (>50 wt.‐%) ENR levels. The blend modulus dependence on composition supports the view that synergistic effects are present. These can be explained by postulating the existence of intermolecular interactions predicted using suitable models proposed to interpret the compositional variation of Tg.