Influence of morphology on the dynamic mechanical properties of hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene elastomer/coagent nanodispersions

Coagents are vinyl monomers that react with free radicals formed by peroxide dissociation and are either grafted to elastomer chains or homopolymerized within a segregated phase to form a crosslinked network. The initial phase distribution within the elastomer matrix is of great importance for the final user properties of a composite material. In this study, the morphology of blends of each of three different coagents, that is, zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA), N,N′‐m‐phenylene dimaleimide (HVA‐2), and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) on a reinforcing substrate with dicumyl peroxide and hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene elastomer after processing was investigated with scanning electron microscopy. The morphology that evolved during processing was then compared to the results obtained from dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of the blends. Dynamic mechanical properties were modeled with a continuous relaxation distribution function, the Williams–Landel–Ferry equation, and the modified Guth–Gold equation. In the case of ZDMA and TMPTMA, a microphase and a nanophase evolved during processing, whereas the HVA‐2 phase in the blends remained well segregated. The volume fraction of the particles under 100 nm in ZDMA and TMPTMA blends ranged from 79 to 89%. The DMA results revealed the reinforcing effect of ZDMA and TMPTMA during the glass‐transition and in the plateau region, whereas HVA‐2 exhibited plasticizer‐like behavior. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Thermoplastic vulcanizates based on epoxidized natural rubber/polypropylene blends: Effect of compatibilizers and reactive blending

Epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) was prepared using the performic epoxidation method. TPVs based on ENR/PP blends were later prepared by melt‐mixing processes via dynamic vulcanization. The effects of blend ratios of ENR/PP, types of compatibilizers, and reactive blending were investigated. Phenolic modified polypropylene (Ph‐PP) and graft copolymer of maleic anhydride on polypropylene molecules (PP‐g‐MA) were prepared and used as blend compatibilizers and reactive blending components of ENR/Ph‐PP and ENR/PP‐g‐MA blends. It was found that the mixing torque, apparent shear stress and apparent shear viscosity increased with increasing levels of ENR. This is attributed to the higher viscosity of the pure ENR than that of the pure PP. Furthermore, there was a higher compatibilizing effect because of the chemical interaction between the polar groups in ENR and PP‐g‐MA or Ph‐PP. Mixing torque, shear flow properties (i.e., shear stress and shear viscosity) and mechanical properties (i.e., tensile strength, elongation at break, and hardness) of the TPVs prepared by reactive blending of ENR/Ph‐PP and ENR/PP‐g‐MA were lower than that of the samples without a compatibilizer. However, the TPVs prepared using Ph‐PP and PP‐g‐MA as compatibilizers exhibited higher values. We observed that the TPVs prepared from ENR/PP with Ph‐PP as a compatibilizer gave the highest rheological and mechanical properties, while the reactive blending of ENR/PP exhibited the lowest values. Trend of the properties corresponds to the morphology of the TPVs. That is, the TPV with Ph‐PP as a blend compatibilizer showed the smallest rubber particles dispersed in the PP matrix, while the reactive blending of ENR/PP‐g‐MA showed the largest particles. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4729–4740, 2006     

Temperature scanning stress relaxation measurements: A unique perspective for evaluation of the thermomechanical behavior of shape memory polymer blends

Shape memory polymer has the inherent capability of fixing its shape to a deformed or unconstrained shape that gives the material shape fixity and to revert back to its permanent shape that results shape recovery of the material. Temperature scanning stress relaxation (TSSR) studies of uncrosslinked and radiation crosslinked polymer blends of ethylene octene copolymer and ethylene propylene diene rubber has been carried out over a certain temperature range that gives the idea about the thermomechanical behavior of the material. With increasing radiation dose, TSSR index value of the radiation crosslinked blends increases, which is an indication of the improvement of the elasticity of the crosslinked network and thus results better shape recovery of the crosslinked blends when compared to the uncrosslinked one. Higher elasticity of the crosslinked network is also well supported by higher crosslink density and lower tension set value of the radiation crosslinked blends. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45680.     

Preparation and properties of peroxide dynamically vulcanized polypropylene/ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer/zinc dimethacrylate thermoplastic olefin

Attempts were made to prepare the polypropylene (PP) /ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer (EPDM) blends with zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA) via peroxide dynamic vulcanization. PP was melt‐mixed with EPDM and ZDMA at different compositions (PP/EPDM/ZDMA, i.e., 70/30/0, 70/30/3, 70/30/6, and 70/30/9, w/w/w) using an internal mixer at 50 rpm rotor speed. The addition of ZDMA improved the rheological properties of the resulting materials in the melt state. The morphological studies revealed that the addition of ZDMA led to an improvement of size reduction and distribution uniformity for crosslinked EPDM phase. ZDMA showed a positive effect on the mechanical properties of the PP/EPDM/ZDMA composites, particularly on the toughness and extensibility. With the incorporation of ZDMA, the izod impact strength and the elongation of PP/EPDM/ZDMA composites increased from 41 kJ/m² to 72 kJ/m² and 110% to 495%, respectively. The crystallization behaviors analysis indicated that the addition of ZDMA promoted the nucleation process of PP but the crystallinity of the PP phase was decreased at the meantime. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Distribution of oil in olefinic thermoplastic elastomer blends

The distribution of processing oil in two olefinic thermoplastic elastomer (OTPE) blends was determined using dielectric spectroscopy. The OPTE blends are blends of dynamically vulcanised EPDM with polypropylene (PP), TPVs, and blends of PP with SEBS. Both blend types contain paraffinic oil, which is present in both the PP and in the elastomer phase. The determination of the actual oil concentration by measuring the reduction in the glass transition temperatures (T_g) is inaccurate using DSC or DMA, because the glass transition dynamics of the two phases overlap. The blends were made sensible for dielectric spectroscopy by the addition of a probe molecule. The oil distribution was determined by modelling of the dielectric loss of the OPTE blends in the T_g regime from the ones of the binary mixtures. The mean value for the oil distribution coefficient was found to be 0.6 for PP/SEBS blends and 0.63 for TPVs.     

Study on isotactic polypropylene/zinc‐neutralized sulfonated ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber/CaCO3 ternary blends

The morphological structure and mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene (PP)/zinc‐neutralized sulfonated ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (Zn? SEPDM)/CaCO₃ blends were studied. PP/Zn? SEPDM/CaCO₃ blends were prepared through two different sequences. A: Blending PP with Zn? SEPDM, then adding CaCO₃; B: Blending Zn? SEPDM with CaCO₃, then adding PP. The blending sequence has substantial influence on the mechanical properties. SEM micrographs and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometry indicate that the CaCO₃ filler is encapsulated by Zn? SEPDM in those blends prepared through sequence B, which caused an extra increase of impact strength. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1635–1640, 2004     

In situ reactive compatibilized polypropylene/nitrile butadiene rubber blends by zinc dimethacrylate: Preparation,structure, and properties

This study demonstrated an approach of compatibilization between polypropylene (PP) and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) by using zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA) as a reactive compatibilizer in the presence of peroxides. The PP/NBR/ZDMA ternary blends with improved mechanical properties were successfully prepared via peroxide dynamic vulcanization. The resultant blends exhibited a significant increase in mixing torque and complex viscosity after incorporation of ZDMA. Morphology studies showed that the addition of ZDMA reduced the size of the crosslinked NBR phase. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) verified that the possible reactions between ZDMA, NBR, and PP increased the interfacial thickness and improved the compatibility between NBR and PP phase. Crystallization behavior analysis indicated that incorporation of ZDMA promoted the nucleation process of PP. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the maximum degradation temperature was increased by ZDMA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2321–2331, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Study on the microstructure and properties of bromobutyl rubber (BIIR)/polyamide‐12 (PA12) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs)

In this study, polyamide‐12 (PA12)/brominated isobutylene‐isoprene (BIIR) TPVs with good mechanical properties and low gas permeability were prepared by dynamic vulcanization in a twin‐screw extruder. The effects of three kinds of compatibilizers on the microstructure and properties of BIIR/PA12 TPV were studied. The compatibility between BIIR and PA12 was improved when maleated hydrocarbon polymeric compatibilizer is added. The reaction between maleic anhydride and amine in polyamide leads to the in situ formation of hydrocarbon polymer grafted polyamide which subsequently can be used to lower the interfacial tension between BIIR and polyamide. The compatibilizing effect of maleic anhydride modified polypropylene (PP‐g‐MAH) on BIIR/PA12 blends is the best among these compatibilizers because the surface energy of PP‐g‐MAH is very close to that of BIIR. The dispersed rubber phase of the blend compatibilized by PP‐g‐MAH shows the smallest size and more uniform size distribution, and the resulting TPVs show the best mechanical properties. The effects of fillers on the properties of BIIR/PA12 TPV were also investigated. The size of the BIIR phase increases with the increase in the content of CaCO₃. The modulus and tensile strength of TPVs increased with the increase in the content of CaCO₃ because of the reinforcing effect of CaCO₃ on TPVs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43043.     

加工方法对动态硫化的聚丙烯/三元乙丙橡胶/甲基丙烯酸锌复合材料的力学性能影响

通过三种不同的加工手段,制备了动态硫化的聚丙烯(PP)/三元乙丙橡胶(EPDM)/甲基丙烯酸锌(ZDMA)复合材料。结果表明,Haake密炼机制备的复合材料综合性能较佳,并且较低的加工温度能够获得综合性能较好的PP/EPDM/ZDMA复合材料。力学性能的数据表明,EPDM的加入,在降低了PP拉伸强度的同时,增加了PP的韧性,而加入ZDMA则进一步提高了复合材料的冲击强度。     

Thermoplastic vulcanizates based on maleated natural rubber/polypropylene blends: Effect of blend ratios on rheological,mechanical, and morphological properties

Maleated natural rubber (MNR) was prepared and used to formulate thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on various MNR/PP blends. The influence of mixing methods on the TPVs properties was first studied. We found that mixing all ingredients in an internal mixer provided the TPVs with better mechanical properties. The final mixing torque, shear stress, and shear viscosity of the TPVs prepared with various blend ratios of MNR/PP increased with increasing levels of MNR in the blends. This may be attributed to higher shear viscosity of the pure MNR than that of the pure PP. Furthermore, as evidenced in SEM micrographs, the TPVs are two phase morphologies with dispersed small vulcanized rubber domains in the PP matrix. Therefore, the higher content of PP caused the more molten continuous phase of the flow during mixing and rheological characterization. Tensile strength and hardness of the TPVs increased with increasing levels of PP, while the elongation at break decreased. Furthermore, the elastomeric properties, in terms of tension set, increased with increasing levels of MNR in the blends. This may be attributed to decreasing trends in the size of vulcanized rubber particles dispersed in the PP matrix with an increasing concentration of MNR. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:594–600, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Influence of incorporation methods of ATH on microstructure,elastomeric properties,flammability, and thermal decomposition of dynamically vulcanized NR/PP blends

Flame‐retardant thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) of natural rubber (NR)/polypropylene (PP) (60/40 wt %) blends filled with alumina trihydrate (ATH) were prepared with an internal mixer. To increase the properties of flame‐retardant NR/PP TPV, the new mixing method, stepwise masterbatch mixing (SMB) method was adopted. The effects of SMB method along with different ATH loadings on microstructure and properties of NR/PP TPVs were investigated. Conventional one‐step mixing (CV) method was also studied for comparison. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that different processes led to a variation in microstructural homogeneity, which imposed various effects on blend properties. The mechanical properties of TPVs changed with ATH loading, and the strength of the samples obtained from SMB method was higher than those of CV method. LOI and cone calorimetry tests revealed that the flame retardancy of NR/PP blends dramatically increased at higher ATH loading. Furthermore, the increment level of flame retardancy was accelerated in the blends produced particularly through SMB method, resulting from homogeneity of local ATH distribution in NR/PP blend. Greater combustion resistance of blends prepared from SMB route were confirmed by thermogravimetry and pyrolysis‐gas chromatography–mass spectrometry techniques. Finally, a burning mechanism between filler structure and flammability of NR/PP TPVs obtained from CV and SMB methods was discussed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46231.     

Structure,morphology, and properties of HNBR filled with N550, SiO2, ZDMA,and two of three kinds of fillers

The vulcanization properties, mechanical properties of hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) filled with carbon black (N550), zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA), SiO₂ independently and two of three kinds of fillers together were investigated, respectively. The filler‐dispersion was characterized by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic mechanical properties. The results showed that HNBR composite filled with SiO₂ or ZDMA displayed high tensile strength, elongation at break and compression set. The HNBR composite filled with N550 displayed low compression set, tensile strength and elongation at break. The dispersion of SiO₂ in HNBR compound was better than that in HNBR vulcanizates because of SiO₂ particles self‐aggregation in vulcanizing processing. ZDMA particles with micron rod‐like and silky shape in HNBR compounds changed into near‐spherical poly‐ZDMA particles with nano size in HNBR vulcanizates by in situ polymerization reaction. The N550 particles morphology exhibited no much change between HNBR compounds and vulcanizates. N550/ZDMA have the most effective reinforcement to HNBR and the appropriate amount of ZDMA is about 25% of total filler amount by weights. The theory prediction for Payne effect (dispersion of the filler) shown by the dynamic properties is identical with actual state observed by TEM. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Synergistic effect of SBS and trimethylopropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) on dynamically vulcanized SEBS/PP blends

The SEBS/PP thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) were prepared by melt blending. Di‐tert‐butyl peroxide (DTBP) was used as the curing agent in combination with trimethylopropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) and poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene‐bstyrene) (SBS) as the coagents for the curing process. The synergistic effect of TMPTMA and SBS on the structure and properties of TPVs was studied by means of FT‐IR, DSC, torque rheometer, and universal testing machine. Both SEBS and PP crosslinked and the network structure formed under the participation of TMPTMA and SBS. Compared with the sole addition of the coagent, simultaneous loading of both TMPTMA and SBS could provide the TPVs with better solvent‐resistance and excellent mechanical properties. The crosslinking mechanism of the TPVs was also proposed. The slight lower value of T_m for the TPVs indicated the improved miscibility between PP and SEBS due to the crosslinking reaction. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44392.     

Effect of the compatibilizer,on the engineering properties of TPV based on Hypalon® and PP prepared by dynamic vulcanization

Elastomeric Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (Hypalon^®) and thermoplastic Polypropylene (PP) based thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) were prepared in presence of different doses of compatibilizer, maleic anhydride grafted PP (PP‐g‐MA) by employing dynamic vulcanization technique. The effect of incorporation in different proportions of compatibilizer on mechanical, spectral, morphological, thermal, and rheological properties of such TPVs was studied and the same were compared to that of virgin PP and amongst themselves. The mechanical analysis of the prepared TPVs exhibited significant improvements in stress at 25% modulus, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and hardness values. FTIR studies revealed that a chemical interaction had taken place between Hypalon^® and functionalized compatibilizer during the process of dynamic vulcanization which led to an enhancement of interfacial adhesion between them. The two‐phase morphologies were clearly observed by scanning electron microscopic studies. The T_g values of Hypalon^® was modified in the TPVs as exhibited by differential scanning calorimetric studies. TGA studies indicated the increase in thermal stability of all TPVs with respect to the elastomeric Hypalon^®. Rheological properties showed that the compatibilizer reduces the melt viscosity of TPVs and thus facilitates the processibility of such TPVs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40312.     

Multifunctional peroxide as alternative crosslink agents for dynamically vulcanized epoxidized natural rubber/polypropylene blends

Commonly used dicumyl peroxide (DCP) in combination with coagent, triallyl cyanurate (TAC), as a crosslinking agent is well acceptable for dynamically vulcanized rubber phase of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs). However, it generally produces volatile decomposition products, which cause a typical unpleasant smell and a blooming phenomenon. In this work, influence of two types of multifunctional peroxides: 2,4‐diallyloxy‐6‐tert‐butylperoxy‐1,3,5‐triazine (DTBT) and 1‐(2‐tert‐butylperoxyisopropyl)‐3‐isopropenyl benzene (TBIB), on properties of TPVs based on epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)/polypropylene (PP) blends were investigated. The conventional peroxide/coagent combinations, i.e., DCP/TAC and tert‐butyl cumyl peroxide (TBCP)/α‐methyl styrene (α‐MeS) were also used to prepare the TPVs for a comparison purpose. The TPVs with multifunctional peroxide, DTBT, provided good mechanical properties and phase morphology of small dispersed vulcanized rubber domains in the PP matrix which were comparable with the DCP/TAC cured TPVs. However, the TPVs with TBIB/α‐MeS and TBCP/α‐MeS showed comparatively low values of the tensile properties as well as rather large phase morphology. The results were interpreted by three main factors: the kinetic aspects of the various peroxides, solubility parameters of respective peroxide/coagent combinations in the ENR and PP phases, and the tendency to form unpleasantly smelling byproducts. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Automotive applications of thermoplastic vulcanizates

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) are special classes of thermoplastic elastomers, in which dynamic vulcanization of the rubber phase takes place during melt mixing with a semicrystalline thermoplastic matrix phase at elevated temperature. This review article focus on the different types of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) from various elastomer and thermoplastic blends that are suitable for the automotive applications purpose. A detailed study of the various TPVs based on polypropylene-ethylene propylene diene rubber (PP-EPDM) and polypropylene-ethylene α-olefin has been focused and their application in the automobile sector has been summarized. Most of the commercially available TPVs are PP-EPDM based. Limited applications of that TPVs in high heat and oil resistant application purposes requires new generation of TPVs. High performance TPVs or super TPVs are new generation TPVs that exhibit high heat resistance as well as excellent oil resistance property suitable for automotive under-the-hood applications. Therefore TPVs based on XNBR-PA12, HNBR-PA12 and FKM-PA6 system has also been explored in details in this study and the possibility of the use of those TPV system has been focused for the high temperature application purpose in the automobile sector where high and oil resistant application properties is the prime concern.     

Fabrication of polypropylene blends with excellent low‐temperature toughness and balanced toughness‐rigidity by a combination of EPR and SEEPS

To overcome serious rigidity depression of rubber‐toughened plastics and fabricate a rigidity‐toughness balanced thermoplastic, a combination of styrene‐[ethylene‐(ethylene‐propylene)]‐styrene block copolymer (SEEPS) and ethylene‐propylene rubber (EPR) was used to toughen polypropylene. The dynamic mechanical properties, crystallization and melting behavior, and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/EPR/SEEPS blends were studied in detail. The results show that the combination of SEEPS and EPR can achieve the tremendous improvement of low‐temperature toughness without significant strength and rigidity loss. Dynamic mechanical properties and phase morphology results demonstrate that there is a good interfacial strength and increased loss of compound rubber phase comprised of EPR component and EP domain of SEEPS. Compared with PP/EPR binary blends, although neither glass transition temperature (T_g) of the rubber phase nor T_g of PP matrix in PP/EPR/SEEPS blends decreases, the brittle‐tough transition temperature (T_bd) of PP/EPR/SEEPS blends decreases, indicating that the increased interfacial interaction between PP matrix and compound rubber phase is also an effective approach to decrease T_bd of the blends so as to improve low‐temperature toughness. The balance between rigidity and toughness of PP/EPR/SEEPS blends is ascribed to the synergistic effect of EPR and SEEPS on toughening PP. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45714.     

Stress softening of NR reinforced by in situ prepared zinc dimethacrylate

The stress softening effect of nature rubber (NR) reinforced by in situ prepared zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA) was studied. Degree of stress softening effect (Ds) in the 4th stress–strain cycle of the NR with 10 phr (parts per hundreds of rubber) ZDMA was only 2.23 (strain = 100%), whereas it reached to 59.98 at 50 phr ZDMA (strain = 200%). The stress softening effects of carbon black filled into NR, and compared with the ZDMA effect, was also studied here. Mooney–Rivlin semiempirical equation was introduced here to analysis the stress–strain behavior of the NR vulcanize filled with in situ prepared ZDMA, and the results showed that the ZDMA/NR system has an obvious Payne effect which is in good agreement with the stress softening effect. Crosslink density analysis indicated a high ionic crosslink density in the NR filled with high content ZDMA, which contributed to the low elastic recovery of the stress softening. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Mechanical properties,morphology, and crystallization behavior of polypropylene/elastomer/talc composites

In this study, polypropylene/ethylene–octene copolymer (PP/POE) blends, PP/talc, and PP/POE/micro‐talc (MT) composites were fabricated using a twin screw. To estimate the performances of the PP/POE blends, PP/talc, and PP/POE/MT composites, mechanical properties, heat deflection temperature (HDT), thermomechanical analysis, and isothermal crystallization characterization were conducted. Incorporating talc particles increased the tensile strength, flexural properties, and HDT of the PP matrix, but reduced the elongation at break and notched impact strength. The inclusion of POE elastomers in the PP matrix yielded the opposite effect on PP/talc composites. PP/POE/MT composites provide a compromise that improves both the flexural properties and notched impact strength. Moreover, the inclusion of talc particles in PP/POE blends induced heterogeneous nucleation and considerably reduced the crystallization time. Consequently, the time required for processing was also greatly reduced. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:69–77, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Dynamically vulcanized blends of polypropylene and ethylene octene copolymer: Influence of various coagents on mechanical and morphological characteristics

Dynamically cured blends of polypropylene (PP) and ethylene octene copolymer (EOC) with coagent‐assisted peroxide curative system were prepared by melt‐mixing method. It was well established that PP exhibits β‐chain scission in the presence of peroxide. Principally, incorporation of a coagent increases the crosslinking efficiency in the EOC phase and decreases the extent of degradation in the PP phase. The present study mainly focused on the influence of three structurally different coagents, namely, triallyl cyanurate (TAC), trimethylol propane triacrylate (TMPTA), and N,N′‐m‐phenylene dimaleimide (MPDM), on the mechanical properties of the PP/EOC thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs). The reactivity and efficiency of different coagents were characterized by cure study on EOC gum vulcanizate. TAC showed the highest torque values followed by MPDM and TMPTA. Significant improvements in the physical properties of the TPVs were inferred with the addition of coagents. Among the three coagents used, MPDM showed the best balance of mechanical properties in these TPVs. The results indicated that torque values obtained during mixing and the final mechanical properties can be correlated. Different aspects were explained for the selection of a coagent that forms a product with desired properties. The phase morphologies of the TPVs prepared were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Tensile fracture patterns were also analyzed to study the failure mechanism of the samples. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009