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.     

Dynamic mechanical properties of polypropylene‐g‐maleic anhydride and ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer blends: Effect of blend preparation methods

In this work, we attempted two different ways of processing to improve interfacial adhesion of polypropylene (PP) and ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM) by introducing maleic anhydride (MAH); In one way, the in situ grafting and dynamic vulcanization (ISGV) were performed simultaneously from PP and EPDM with MAH in the presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) in an intensive mixer. In another way, PP was first grafted with MAH and then the PP‐g‐MAH was blended with EPDM in the intensive mixer in the presence of DCP by the dynamic vulcanization (DV). It was found that the glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of both PP and EPDM phases were shifted to higher temperature as the EPDM content increased for the blends prepared by both IGSV and DV methods, mainly due to the crosslinking of EPDM. The higher T_gs and larger storage moduli were observed for the blends prepared by the ISGV method than those prepared by the DV method, while the morphology showed that the size reduction of dispersed particles in latter blends was larger than that of the former blends. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2777–2784, 2000     

Properties of copolymer-type polyacetal/ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer blends

Two kinds of polymer blends, polyacetals (POMs) and ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM), have been prepared by mechanical blending. The rubbery EPDM was added to the rigid POM matrix to increase toughness. The mechanical, physical, thermal, dynamic mechanical, and morphological properties of these samples have been measured. The notched Izod impact strength and the elongation of the blends reaches a maximum at 7.5 wt % EPDM content. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) showed that the domain sizes of EPDM vary from 0.25 to 1.0 μm and were independent of the composition. The POM/EPDM blends were determined to be immiscible by SEM, but showed single T_g behavior as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analyses up to 7.5 wt % EPDM. Because of that, the T_g's of POM and EPDM were very similar in value. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Morphology,rheology, and mechanical properties of dynamically cured EPDM/PP blend: Effect of curing agent dose variation

The structure development, rheological behavior, viscoelastic, and mechanical properties of dynamically cured blend based on the ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM) and polypropylene (PP) with a ratio of 60/40 by weight were studied. The variation of two‐phase morphology was observed and compared as the level of curing agent was increased. Meanwhile, as the level of curing agent increased, viscosity as a function of shear stress always increased at a shear stress range of 2.2 × 10⁴ to 3.4 × 10⁵ Pa at the temperature of 200°C, yet viscosity of the blend approached each other at high shear stress. Dynamic mechanical spectra at different temperatures show that dynamic modulus (E′) of the blend exhibits two drastic transitions corresponding to glass transition temperature (T_g) of EPDM and T_g of PP, respectively. In the blends T_gs of EPDM increase and T_gs of PP almost remain unchangeable with an increase in curing agent level. Tensile strength increased, yet elongation at break decreased as the level of curing agent is increased. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 357–362, 2004     

Tensile properties and morphology of the dynamically cured EPDM and PP/HDPE ternary blends

The tensile properties and morphology of the polyolefin ternary blends of ethylenepropylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM), polypropylene and high density polyethylene were studied. Blends were prepared in a laboratory internal mixer where EPDM was cured in the presence of PP and HDPE under shear with dicumyl peroxide (DCP). For comparison, blends were also prepared from EPDM which was dynamically cured alone and blended with PP and HDPE later (cure–blend). The effect of DCP concentration, intensity of the shear mixing, and rubber/plastics composition was studied. The tensile strength and modulus increased with increasing DCP concentration in the blends of EPDM-rich compositions but decreased with increasing DCP concentration in blends of PP-rich compositions. In the morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the small amount of EPDM acted as a compatibilizer to HDPE and PP. It was also revealed that the dynamic curing process could reduce the domain size of the crosslinked EPDM phase. When the EPDM forms the matrix, the phase separation effect becomes dominant between the EPDM matrix and PP or HDPE domain due to the crosslinking in the matrix.     

Study on Blends of Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber and Thermoplastic Polyurethanes

Blends of ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) have been studied to understand the compatibility and morphology. The study was initially done with unmodified EPDM and subsequently with modified EPDM through maleation process. Mechanical properties of unmodified EPDM blends are improved with the addition of TPU. However, the appearance of two T _gs even at lower concentrations of PU in the blends indicates that the blends are incompatible. Blends of maleated EPDM with TPU showed a single T _g and further improvement in mechanical properties which is attributed to the improvement in compatibility as also confirmed by SEM analysis.     

Rheological properties,tensile properties,and morphology of PP/EPDM/lonomer ternary blends

The rheological and tensile properties and the morphology of polypropylene (PP)/ethylenepropylene-diene terpolymer(EPDM)/ionomer ternary blends were investigated, using a rheometric dynamic spectrometer (RDS), a dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA), a tensile tester, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Two kinds of poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMA) ionomers, neutralized with different metal ions (Na⁺ and Zn⁺⁺), were used. Blends were melt-mixed, using a laboratory internal mixer at 190°C. The composition of PP and EPDM was fixed at 50/50 by wt % and the EMA ionomer contents were varied from 5 to 20 wt %, based on the total amount of PP and EPDM. It was found that the ternary blends, containing Na-neutralized ionomer, showed considerably different rheological properties and morphology as compared to the PP/EPDM binary blends, due to the compatibilizing effect of the ionomer for PP and EPDM, while the ternary blends, containing the Zn-neutralized ionomer, did not. The compatibilizing effect was most prominent at 5 wt % ionomer concentration. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synergetic toughness and morphology of poly(propylene)/nylon 11/maleated ethylene‐propylene diene copolymer blends

Polypropylene (PP)/nylon 11/maleated ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber (EPDM‐g‐MAH) ternary polymer blends were prepared via melt blending in a corotating twin‐screw extruder. The effect of nylon 11 and EPDM‐g‐MAH on the phase morphology and mechanical properties was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that there was apparent phase separation for PP/EPDM‐g‐MAH binary blends at the level of 10 wt % maleated elastomer. For the PP/nylon 11/EPDM‐g‐MAH ternary blends, the dispersed phase morphology of the maleated elastomer was hardly affected by the addition of nylon 11, whereas the reduced dispersed phase domains of nylon 11 were observed with the increasing maleated elastomer loading. Furthermore, a core‐shell structure, in which nylon 11 as a rigid core was surrounded by a soft EPDM‐g‐MAH shell, was formed in the case of 10 wt % nylon 11 and higher EPDM‐g‐MAH concentration. In general, the results of mechanical property measurement showed that the ternary blends exhibited inferior tensile strength in comparison with the PP matrix, but superior toughness. Especially low‐temperature impact strength was obtained. The toughening mechanism was discussed with reference to the phase morphology. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Toughening of PP/EPDM blend by compatibilization

To improve the mechanical properties of blends of polypropylene (PP) and terpolymer of ethylene–propylene–diene (EPDM), a triblock copolymer, (PP‐g‐MAH)‐co‐[PA‐6,6]‐co‐(EPDM‐g‐MAH), was synthesized by coupling reaction of maleic anhydride (MAH)‐grafted PP (PP‐g‐MAH), EPDM‐g‐MAH, and PA‐6,6. The newly prepared block copolymer brought about a physical interlocking between the blend components, and imparted a compatibilizing effect to the blends. Introducing the block copolymer to the blends up to 5 wt % lead to formation of a β‐form crystal. The wide‐angle X‐ray diffractograms measured in the region of 2θ between 10° and 50° ascertained that incorporating the block copolymer gave a new peak at 2θ = 15.8°. The new peak was assigned to the (300) plane spacings of the β‐hexagonal crystal structure. In addition, the block copolymer notably improved the low‐temperature impact property of the PP/EPDM blends. The optimum usage level of the compatibilizer proved to be 0.5 wt %. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1267–1274, 2000     

Effect of additives on the composition dependent glass transition variation in PS/PP blends

The effect of additives on glass transition behavior in melt processed blends of polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP) was studied. Blends of additive‐free polystyrene and additive‐free polypropylene revealed the known effect of the PS T_g increase in blend compositions where PP surrounds PS. Glass transition behavior in these blends was compared to blends prepared from additive‐free PP and commercial grade PS, which contained lubricant additives. The thermal transitions of PS and PP were measured using modulated DSC. Although the behavior of low PS concentration blends was similar in both systems, the characteristics of the high PS blends differed substantially. These differences and the contrast in the PP T_g behaviors were attributed to the migration of additives from the PS phase across the immiscible interface into the PP phase. Similar T_g variations were observed in blends of commercial grade PS and commercial grade PP. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Structure and properties of dynamically cured EPDM/PP blends

The structure and properties of polyolefin blends of ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM) and polypropylene were studied. Blends were prepared in a laboratory internal mixer where EPDM was cured with PP under shear with dicumyl peroxide (DCP) at different shear conditions (blend–cure). Blends were also prepared for comparison from EPDM which were dynamically cured in the absence of PP and blended later (cure–blend). The effect of DCP concentration, intensity of the shear mixing, and rubber/plastic composition were studied. In blend–cure, the melt viscosity increased with increasing DCP concentration in blends of 75% EPDM and 25% PP, but it decreased with increasing DCP concentration in blends of 75% PP and 25% EPDM. In cure–blend, however, the melt viscosity increased with increasing DCP concentration for all compositions. The melt viscosity decreased with increasing intensity of the shear mixing presumably due to the formation of the smaller segregated microdomain of the crosslinked EPDM gels in both blend–cure and cure–blend materials. The crystallization rate was higher in EPDM/PP blends than in PP homopolymer. The crystallization rates for various blending conditions were also compared.     

EPDM/St‐An graft copolymerization reaction behavior by phase inversion emulsion and the toughness effect of EPDM‐g‐SAN on SAN resin

Styrene‐EPDM‐acrylonitrile tripolymer (EPDM‐g‐SAN) was synthesized by the graft copolymerization of styrene (St) and acrylonitrile (An) onto ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM) with “phase inversion” emulsification technique. The high impact strength engineering plastics AES was the blend of SAN resin and EPDM‐g‐SAN, which occupied good weathering and yellow discoloration resistivity. The effects of An percentage in comonomer and the weight proportion of EPDM to St‐An on graft copolymerization behavior and AES notched impact strength were studied. The results showed that monomer conversion ratio (CR) exhibited a peak when the An percentage changed, and the maximum value was 97.5%. Grafting ratio (GR) and grafting efficiency (GE) enhance as well. The notched impact strength of AES presented a peak with the maximum value of 53.0 KJ/m², when An percentage was at the range of 35–40%. The spectra of FTIR showed that St and An were graft onto the EPDM. DSC analysis illuminated that T_g of EPDM phase in the blends was lower than that of the pure EPDM. TEM and SEM micrographs indicated that the polarity of g‐SAN of EPDM‐g‐SAN was the main factor effect the particle morphology, in terms of size, distribution and isotropy. When weight ratio of St to An was 65/35, the polarity of g‐SAN chains was appropriate, and the EPDM‐g‐SAN particles dispersed well in the SAN matrix. The super impact toughness is interpreted in terms of EPDM phase cavitation and enhanced plastic shear yielding. The highest toughness occurs at an optimum EPDM‐g‐SAN phase particle size which is about 0.2 μm in SAN resin matrix. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Compatibilization of PP/EPDM blends by grafting acrylic acid to polypropylene and epoxidizing the diene in EPDM

In this article, ethylene–propylene–diene‐rubber (EPDM) was epoxidized with an in situ formed performic acid to prepare epoxided EPDM (eEPDM). The eEPDM together with the introduction of PP‐g‐AA was used to compatibilize PP/EPDM blends in a Haake mixer. FTIR results showed that the EPDM had been epoxidized. The reaction between epoxy groups in the eEPDM and carboxylic acid groups in PP‐g‐AA had taken place, and PP‐g‐EPDM copolymers were formed in situ. Torque test results showed that the actual temperature and torque values for the compatibilized blends were higher than that of the uncompatibilized blends. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation showed that the dispersed phase domain size of compatibilized blends and the uncompatibilized blends were 0.5 and 1.5 μm, respectively. The eEPDM together with the introduction of PP‐g‐AA could compatibilize PP/EPDM blends effectively. Notched Izod impact tests showed that the formation of PP‐g‐EPDM copolymer improved the impact strength and yielded a tougher PP blend. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3949–3954, 2006     

The dynamic mechanical analysis,impact, and morphological studies of EPDM–PVC and MMA‐g‐EPDM–PVC blends

The dynamic mechanical studies, impact resistance, and scanning electron microscopic studies of ethylene propylene diene terpolymer–poly(vinyl chloride) (EPDM–PVC) and methyl methacrylate grafted EPDM rubber (MMA‐g‐EPDM)–PVC (graft contents of 4, 13, 21, and 32%) blends were undertaken. All the regions of viscoelasticity were present in the E′ curve, while the E″ curve showed two glass transition temperatures for EPDM–PVC and MMA‐g‐EPDM–PVC blends, and the T_g increased with increasing graft content, indicating the incompatibility of these blends. The tan δ curve showed three dispersion regions for all blends arising from the α, β, and Γ transitions of the molecules. The sharp α transition peak shifted to higher temperatures with increasing concentration of the graft copolymer in the blends. EPDM showed less improvement while a sixfold increase in impact strength was noticed with the grafted EPDM. The scanning electron microscopy micrographs of EPDM–PVC showed less interaction between the phases in comparison to MMA‐g‐EPDM–PVC blends. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 1959–1968, 1999     

Selective crosslinking reaction in polymer blends. IV. The effects on the impact behavior of PP/EPDM blends (2)

Two PP/EPDM blends with 30 wt % of EPDM and different morphologies were selectively crosslinked under a dynamic crosslinking reaction using the N,N'-m-phenylene-bismaleimide/poly(2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2,-dihydroquinoline) system. The resulting Izod impact strengths (IISs) were measured over a range of temperature. A transition point in the IIS curve, which is considered to dependent on the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the PP matrix, appeared to decrease by 5°C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the crosslink reaction did not affect the blends' morphology but did increase interfacial adhesion. Increased adhesion is considered to be a most important factor for shifting of the transition point, or apparent T_g, because it increases the free volume of the PP matrix under deformation. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Dispersive mixing efficiency of an elongational flow mixer on PP/EPDM blends: Morphological analysis and correlation with viscoelastic properties

Polypropylene and ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (PP/EPDM) blends were melt compounded in a new mixing device, designed in our laboratory under the trademark of RMX®, which predominantly generates elongational flows. Dispersion of the EPDM minor phase in PP was carried out in both RMX® and in an internal mixer (Haake Rheomix 600) at equivalent specific mixing energies and the resultant morphologies obtained by SEM were analyzed and compared. A better dispersive mixing efficiency of the RMX® mixer, i.e., lower D_n and D_v of the dispersed EPDM phase was observed. The impact of elongational flow was more pronounced for blends having a high viscosity ratio p, indicating an enhanced droplet break‐up mechanism, which was attributed to the combination of high shear rates inside the mixing element and important elongational flows in the convergent/divergent zones. The morphology of the blends was correlated with their linear viscoelastic properties by using the Palierne model. Very good agreement was found for the PP/EPDM 80/20 blends but for higher EPDM content, the Palierne model failed to describe the rheological behavior, which was attributed to percolation of the minor phase with increasing the concentration. Higher elasticity at low frequencies was observed for blends processed in the RMX®, which was attributed to a higher generated interfacial area. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:1444–1457, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical properties and structural characteristics of dynamically photocrosslinked PP/EPDM blends

The mechanical properties and crystal morphological structures of dynamically photocrosslinked polypropylene (PP)/ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM) blends have been studied by mechanical tests, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Dynamically photocrosslinking of PP/EPDM blends can improve the mechanical propertiess considerably, especially the notched Izod impact strength at low temperature. Data obtained from mechanical tests show that the notched Izod impact strength of a dynamically photocrosslinked sample with 30% EPDM at ?20°C is about six times that of an uncrosslinked sample with the same EPDM component. The results from the WAXD, SEM, and DSC measurements reveal the enhanced mechanism of impact strength for the dynamically photocrosslinked PP/EPDM blends as follows: (i) the β‐type crystal structure of PP is formed and the interplanar distance of β‐type crystal increases slightly with an increase in the EPDM component; (ii) the droplet size of the EPDM phase in the photocrosslinked PP/EPDM blends is obviously reduced and the droplet number is increased with an increase in the EPDM component during the dynamical photocrosslinking process; (iii) the graft copolymer of PP‐g‐EPDM is formed at the interface between PP and EPDM components. All the above changes from the crystal morphological structures are favorable for increasing the compatibility and enhancing the toughness of PP/EPDM blends at low temperatures.     

Fracture mechanics investigation on the PP/EPDM/ionomer ternary blends using j-integral by locus method

The fracture mechanics investigation of the polypropylene (PP)/ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM)/ionomer ternary blends was performed in terms of the J-integral by measuring fracture energy via the locus method. Blends were prepared in a laboratory internal mixer. The composition of PP and EPDM was fixed at a 50/50 ratio by weight. Two kinds of Poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMA) ionomers were used. The J-integral value at crack initiation, Jc, of the PP/EPDM/EMA ionomer ternary blends were affected by the cation types (Na⁺ or Zn²⁺) and contents (5–20 wt %) of the added EMA ionomers. The ternary blend having 5 wt % of Na-neutralized ionomer showed a higher Jc value than that of any other ternary blends. The results were discussed with regard to the fracture topology by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Development of an intermediate layer for multilayer hoses used in turbo lines of motor vehicles

Multilayer hoses for turbo lines can be produced by ethylene acrylic rubber (AEM) as the inner layer and peroxide cured ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) as the outer layer. In such a case, the polar AEM should adhere well to the apolar EPDM to ensure proper functioning. In this work, new blends were developed and optimized to offer potential for using as intermediate bonding layers. Different compositions of dipolymer AEM/EPDM and terpolymer AEM/EPDM blends with and without maleic anhydride grafted EPDM (Ma‐g‐EPDM) as a compatibilizer were successfully prepared. Curing behaviors, as well as mechanical and thermal properties of the blends were investigated in detail. The effects of the compatibilizer addition were also explored by dynamical mechanical analysis, DeMattia and scanning electron microscope. It is found that Ma‐g‐EPDM is more effective in terpolymer AEM containing blends. Additionally, 60/40:AEM/EPDM weight ratio is the most suitable proportion for turbo lines. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46525.     

Studies on Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber and Thermoplastic Polyurethane Blends: The Effect of Maleation

Blends of maleated ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) have been studied to understand the effect of the maleation level of EPDM on the compatibility and morphology of the blends. Blends with different maleation levels on EPDM (0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 wt%) were compared for mechanical, thermal, and other properties. The appearance of single T _g for 0.5% and 0.75% confirms that a maleation level of more than 0.5 wt% is required for EPDM blends with TPU. However, best mechanical properties are obtained for 0.5% maleated EPDM and TPU blends. Aging, filler reinforcement, and weather resistance measurements were also studied for the blends of varying maleation levels.