Enhancing SEBS ‐Based Thermoplastic Elastomers via a Dynamic Crosslinking Strategy Using an Epoxy Resin System

Styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene (SEBS) thermoplastic elastomers are valued for their unique combination of rubber‐like elasticity and thermoplastic processability. However, their widespread application is hindered by inherent limitations, including insufficient mechanical strength and a non‐polar character that results in poor interfacial adhesion. This study presents a novel strategy to overcome these limitations through dynamic crosslinking using an epoxy resin system. Bisphenol A epoxy resin, coupled with 2‐ethyl‐4‐methylimidazole (2E4MI) as a hardener, was employed to create a crosslinked network within the SEBS matrix. Maleic anhydride‐grafted SEBS (SEBS‐ g ‐MAH) was introduced as a compatibilizer to enhance the interfacial adhesion and dispersion of the epoxy phase. The optimal composite with 4% epoxy resin and compatibilizer exhibits a maximum tensile strength of 18.72 MPa, a peak rebound resilience of 44.7%, and a significantly reduced wear rate of 0.25 g/1000r. Moreover, the surface water contact angle decreases markedly to 75.68°, indicating a substantial enhancement in surface polarity. These improvements are attributed to the well‐dispersed epoxy‐derived crosslinked network and the enhanced interfacial adhesion facilitated by the compatibilizer. This work provides an effective strategy for fabricating high‐performance SEBS composites with balanced mechanical properties and improved surface polarity, broadening their application prospects.