Melt rheology, cure characteristics, and mechanical properties of blends of polychloroprene (CR) and polybutadiene rubber (BR) in the presence and absence of phosphorylated cardanol prepolymer (PCP) were studied. The melt rheology parameters of the blends over a wide range of shear rates and temperatures were studied using a capillary rheometer (Rheoflixer SWO). The plasticizing effect of PCP in the blends was indicated by reduction in apparent melt viscosity and activation energy for melt flow. Good compatibility between the blend components (CR and BR) in the presence of PCP was evidenced by the lower values of principal normal stress difference. The self crosslinking behavior of the blends in the presence and absence of PCP was studied at different temperatures, using a Brabender Plasicorder and the kinetic parameters of crosslinking were evaluated. The cure characteristics of blends of CR and BR containing different dosages of PCP (0-10 phr) in a semi efficient vulcanization system were also studied at temperatures ranging from 150 degrees C to 180 degrees C, using an oscillating disk rheometer. The increase in tensile modulus, tensile strength, and tear strength of the vulcanizates in the presence of 5 phr of PCP is presumed to be an indication of reinforcement resulting from accelerated crosslinking reaction as evidenced by higher chemical crosslink density index. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.