The influence of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) waste (EVAR) on the mechanical performance of NBR vulcanisates compounds was studied. The optimum concentration of EVAR, which has presented higher ultimate tensile stress, was found at 50 phr. In addition, the influence of EVA and EVAR functionalized with mercaptan groups (EVALSH) and EVAR functionalized with maleic anidride (EVARCO) as compatibilizing agents was studied. The copolymer EVALSH acted as accelerator for the curing system, since a decreasing of the curing time was observed. An improvement of ageing resistance was also observed. The addition of EVARCO resulted in a reduction of the curing time and an improvement of most of evaluated properties. The thermodynamic-mechanic properties were investigated by DMTA analysis. The studies on the interaction between dispersed phase and matrix were performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Elastomers compounds; EVA waste; mechanical properties; compatibilization
