RFL coated aramid short fiber reinforced thermoplastic elastomer: Mechanical, rheological and morphological characteristics

Composite based on a new generation metallocene catalyzed thermoplastic elastomer ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC) and resorcinol formaldehyde latex (RFL) coated aramid short fiber was prepared by varying the short fiber loading from 1 to 10 phr. The mechanical, morphological and rheological characterizations were carried out. The impact of a low molecular weight maleic anhydride grafted 1, 2 polybutadiene (MA-g-PB) on various properties was also investigated. It has been observed that with increasing the short fiber content both the low strain modulus and modulus at 100% increase but the tensile strength and elongation at break decrease. The improvements in tensile strength coupled with elongation at break and good fiber dispersion particularly at high fiber loaded composite were achieved with the incorporation of MA-g-PB, which indicates that it acts as an interface modifier through compatibilization between the fiber and the EOC matrix as well as a good dispersing agent. The understanding of adhesion between the fiber and the polymer and the sticking of polymer traces on the tensile fractured fiber surface of the composite by scanning electron microscopic analyses further support the compatibilizing action of MA-g-PB. The melt rheological behavior such as storage modulus, loss modulus, complex viscosity and storage viscosity of the composites were investigated using a Rubber Process Analyser (RPA) under strain and frequency sweep mode.