Effect of polar modifications on cure characteristics, solvent resistance and thermo-mechanical properties of metallocene-based polyolefinic elastomers

Metallocene-based poly(ethylene-octene) and poly(ethylene-butene) elastomers were polar modified through sulfonation and grafting of acrylic acid. The impact of polar modifications on the oil and solvent resistance, curing characteristics and various thermo-mechanical properties of the cured elastomers was thoroughly investigated. Greater solvent resistance was observed due to grafting of acrylic acid in comparison to sulfonation. Thermo-mechanical properties were significantly improved after polar modifications.