Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, Vol.13, No.8, 903-930, 1999
Chlorination of SBS rubbers with different styrene contents using trichloro-isocyanuric acid
In order to improve their adhesion to polyurethane adhesives, three unvulcanized block styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) rubbers with styrene contents between 33% and 55% were surface-treated with solutions of 2 wt% trichloro-isocyanuric acid (TCI) in ethyl acetate. The joint strength was estimated using T-peel tests and the failed surfaces were analyzed to assess the locus of failure. The failed surfaces were analyzed using ATR-IR spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, XPS, and SEM. An unexpected trend in the joint strength was obtained because the locus of failure depended on both the styrene content and the mechanical properties of each SBS rubber. A mixed mode of failure was obtained in joints produced with S1 rubber (33 wt% styrene content), whereas failure in the chlorinated layer was observed with S3 rubber (55 wt% styrene content); cohesive failure in the adhesive was found for the joints produced with S2 rubber (44 wt% styrene content).