Methods for preparing a shaped rubber article, comprising admixing at
least one thermoplastic material and at least one elastomer material to
provide a processable and dimensionally stable rubber composition,
shaping the composition, and irradiating the composition to form the
shaped rubber article. The dimensional stability of the uncured
composition may be provided by partial dynamic vulcanization, high
performance reinforcing fillers, fractional curing, or combinations
thereof. The elastomer material is present in an amount greater than
about 65% by weight based on the total weight of the thermoplastic and
elastomer materials present in the admixture.