BIMS/filler interactions. II. Effects of filler concentration and BIMS structure†

Brominated isobutylene para-methylstyrene (BIMS) elastomer is a terpolymer of isobutylene, para-methylstyrene (PMS), and para-bromomethylstyrene (BrPMS). Viscoelastic measurements have been used to characterize the blends of this BIMS elastomer with different concentrations of a carbon black (CB) filler, N234. Data in the low temperature/high frequency region suggest that N234 at a concentration less than or equal to 15 vol % in BIMS appears not to affect the Tg of BIMS although a slight increase in relaxation time in the transition zone is observed. Also, the effects of BrPMS and PMS contents in BIMS on BIMS/N234 CB interactions have been qualitatively investigated by using the bound rubber measurements. To assess BIMS/CB interactions with reference to diene rubber/CB interactions, mixing of BIMS with various amounts of a polybutadiene rubber in the presence of CB has been performed. Atomic force microscopy and image processing have been employed to quantify filler phase distributions in these blends for a practical ranking of polymer/CB interactions. Preferential partition of CB in the BIMS or BR phase depends on the BrPMS content in BIMS. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 659–667, 2006