Energetic Thermoplastic Elastomers from Azidated Polyepichlorohydrin Rubber (Az-PECH)/ Styrene Acrylonitrile Copolymer (SAN) Blends

Polyepichlorohydrin rubber was treated with sodium azide (Na) to replace its chlorine by azide (). Then, the azidated polyepichlorohydrin rubber (Az-PECH) was blended with thermoplastic styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer with the rubber/plastic ratio of 80/20, 70/30 and 60/40 (wt/wt). The miscibility, mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties as well as elastic recovery properties of the blends were evaluated by DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer) and tensile tests. When azidation level in azidated PECH was upto 50%, the blends exhibited excellent miscibility, manifested by a single , and fairly good elastic recovery. When azidation level was 75%, the blends showed phase separation. The miscible Az-PECH/SAN blends exhibited typical thermoplastic elastomer like properties, ie. melt processibility and high extensibility as well as good elastic recovery rate. It was also observed from combustion test that higher energy is released with the increase in the azidation level of the Az-PECH in the blends.