Effect of epoxidized natural rubber on the processing behavior,tensile properties,morphology, and thermal properties of linear‐low‐density polyethylene/soya powder blends

The effect of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) with 50 mol% epoxidation (ENR 50) on the processing behaviors, tensile properties, morphology, and thermal properties of linear‐low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE)/soya powder blends was investigated. The LLDPE was blended with various soya powder contents in a Haake internal mixer at 150°C and a rotor speed of 50 rpm for 10 min. The tensile properties were tested by using an Instron tensometer according to ISO 527. The thermal stability of the blends was determined by using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The tensile strength and elongation at the breakage point were significantly improved by the addition of ENR 50, as evidenced by morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). On the other hand, the tensile modulus increased with soya powder content up to 20% and decreased thereafter. The crystallinity and crystallization temperatures of the blends decreased with the incorporation of ENR, and the thermal stability of the blends was lower with higher soya powder content. However, ENR 50 improved the thermal stability of LLDPE/soya powder blends. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers