Influence of trans-polyoctylene rubber content on styrene-butadiene rubber properties

Abstract The study was focused on the investigation of trans-polyoctylene (TOR) influence on cross-linking as well as mechanical and rheological properties of rubber compounds based on styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). SBR was compounded with different proportions of TOR in the concentration range from 0 to 30 phr. Integration of TOR into rubber leads to the prolongation of the optimum curing time and scorch time and thus the decrease of the curing rate. Higher content of TOR led to less viscous rubber due to the plasticizing effect. Cross-link density of vulcanizates was reduced, which correlates with higher elongation at break. Tensile strength and hardness of vulcanizates increased with the increasing TOR content, probably due to the increasing amount of the crystalline phase.