Polymer, Vol.40, No.11, 3223-3228, 1999
Nitrogen/oxygen permeability of natural rubber, epoxidised natural rubber and natural rubber epoxidised natural rubber blends
Pure gas transport properties of natural rubber (NR), epoxidised natural rubber (ENR) and their blends have been determined. The permeabilities of the pure polymers and blends were determined with nitrogen and oxygen. The relation between oxygen-to-nitrogen selectivity and the glass transition temperature has been studied. NR is more permeable to nitrogen and oxygen but ENR-50 shows maximum oxygen-to-nitrogen selectivity. In NR/ENR blends, permeability of the penetrant decreases with Volume fraction of ENR, whereas selectivity increases with volume fraction of ENR. Pure gas permeabilities of NR/ENR blends were compared with models for permeation in heterogeneous media.