Investigation of the low‐temperature properties and oil resistance of peroxide‐cured epichlorohydrin rubber and nitrile butadiene rubber blends

Abstract Low‐acrylonitrile nitrile butadiene rubbers (NBRs) are seriously degraded by No. 15 oil in the hydraulic system of aircraft. The present work aims to prepare rubber materials with excellent low‐temperature and No. 15 aviation hydraulic oil resistance. Terpolymerization epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO) and low‐acrylonitrile NBR were blended. The blends were vulcanized using peroxide. The effects of the ECO/NBR blending ratio on the oil resistance and low‐temperature, physical and mechanical, hot air aging, and ozone aging properties were investigated using a multitechnique approach. The results showed that ECO had double bonds and could be vulcanized by peroxide. The percentage of volume swelling of ECO in No. 15 oil was about 1/7 of that of NBR. As the ECO content increased, the oil and ozone resistance and brittle temperature were gradually improved. The coefficient of cold resistance under compression and glass transition temperature peaked at a ratio of 50/50 due to the migration of dicumyl peroxide from ECO to NBR. Further, vulcanization, hot air aging, and other physical properties are also discussed. This work provides a reference for the development of ultra‐low‐temperature performance and No. 15 oil‐resistant sealing rubber materials. Highlights ECO EPION 301 could be cured by peroxide. The blends of ECO and low‐acrylonitrile NBR could be cured by peroxide. The blends exhibited better oil resistance and low‐temperature performance. Some dicumyl peroxide migrated from ECO to NBR in the blends.