Rheological,mechanical and thermal properties of propylene‐ethylene block copolymer/polyalphaolefins blends

The rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties of propylene–ethylene block copolymer (PPB) blends with predominantly atactic molecular structure of low molecular weight polypropylene and propylene copolymers with either ethylene or 1‐butene (APAO) have been studied. It has been found that blend properties depend on comonomer type, content, and molecular weight of APAO as well as blend composition. APAO having ethylene comonomer showed better miscibility with PPB than the other ones, and high comonomer content of APAOs gave dramatic increase in impact strength over 30 wt%. It has been concluded that APAO can be used as an effective modifier of PPB. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1905–1911, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Study of grafting propylene–ethylene block copolymer

The article describes the mechanical properties of a propylene–ethylene block copolymer (Co-PP) used as a matrix with acrylic acid (AA) and strengthened with glass fiber. Isotactic polypropylene (i-PP) is also used as a matrix to compare with the results obtained from the Co-PP grafting. Experimental results indicate that AA grafting improves the interfacial adhesion between the matrices and glass fiber. AA grafting also enhances the mechanical properties of glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (FRPP). A quantitative titration is performed to analyze the grafting ratio and grafting efficiency. In addition, the specimens are injection-molded to investigate the mechanical properties and morphologies. In addition, the effects on the matrix structure, attributed to the grafting and blending of the glass fiber, are also investigated. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 68: 977–988, 1998     

Crystalline structure of propylene–ethylene copolymer fractions

Crystalline structure were studied on both block and random propylene–ethylene copolymer fractions, which were obtained by temperature rising elution fractionation. The peak characteristic of α-polypropylene (PP) was observed for all fractions, except the fraction eluted at room temperature. A characteristic peak of polyethylene crystals [i.e., (200) planes] was observed in some fractions, indicating the existence of long ethylene sequence in these fractions. This is in accordance with the analysis from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹³C-NMR. The γ-form crystal of PP was observed in these copolymer fractions at atmospheric pressure. It is suggested that the insertion of comonomer into the isotactic PP chain makes the crystallizable sequences sufficiently short and produces the γ-form crystal. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 68:381–386, 1998     

Effect of ethylene-propylene copolymer with residual PE crystallinity on mechanical properties and morphology of PP/HDPE blends

Morphology and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/high density polyethylene (HDPE) blends modified by ethylene-propylene copolymers (EPC) with residual PE crystallinity were investigated. The EPC showed different interfacial behavior in PP/HDPE blends of different compositions. A 25/75 blend of PP/HDPE (weight ratio) showed improved tensile strength and elongation at break at low EPC content (5 wt %). For the PP/HDPE = 50/50 blend, the presence of the EPC component tended to make the PP dispresed phase structure transform into a cocontinuous one, probably caused by improved viscosity matching of the two components. Both tensile strength and elongation at break were improved at EPC content of 5 wt %. For PP/HDPE 75/25 blends, the much smaller dispersed HDPE phase and significantly improved elongation at break resulted from compatibilization by EPC copolymers. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Microdeformation mechanisms in propylene–ethylene block copolymer

Blends of propylene–ethylene block copolymer (PEB) and propylene homopolymer (PP) were prepared to give various rubber contents (4–20 wt %). By diluting the PEB with PP with molecular weight equal to that of the PEB matrix, molecular characteristics of all the blends were kept constant. The rubber particle size and size distribution of all the blends were almost constant, so that the interparticle distance decreased with increased rubber content. According to the observation of the fracture behavior at ?20°C, a brittle to ductile transition was found at the rubber content of 16 wt %. Microdeformation behavior of the blends was investigated in the region of brittle to ductile transition by using transmission electron microscopy. In the case of the brittle sample with low rubber content, crazing and voiding were observed. Whereas even in the ductile sample with high rubber content, crazing certainly took place before shear yielding. The origin of ductile fracture could possibly be attributed to the relaxation of strain constraint by the microvoids contained in the craze. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Properties of dynamically vulcanized ethylene–propylene–diene copolymer/polypropylene blends

In this study, vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers were produced through the formation of crosslinks with peroxide for different ratios of ethylene–propylene–diene copolymer to polypropylene. Mixing was performed with a twin‐screw extruder. Afterward, the yield, tensile strength, elastic modulus, elongation, Izod impact strength, hardness, melt flow index, Vicat softening point, heat deflection temperature, and density of the crosslinks were determined. The thermal transition temperatures and microstructure were determined with differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 3895–3902, 2007     

Mechanical properties and morphology of LCP/ABS blends compatibilized with a styrene–maleic anhydride copolymer

A co‐polyester liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) was melt blended with an acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymer (ABS). LCP fibrils are formed and a distinct skin/core morphology is observed in the injection moulded samples. At higher LCP concentration (50 wt%), phase inversion occurs, where the dispersed LCP phase becomes a co‐continuous phase. While the tensile strength and Young's modulus remain unchanged with increasing LCP content up to 30 wt% LCP, a significant enhancement of the modulus at 50 wt% LCP is observed due to the formation of co‐continuous morphology. The blend modulus is lower than the values predicted by the rule of mixtures, suggesting a poor interface between the LCP droplets and ABS matrix. A copolymer of styrene and maleic anhydride (SMA) was added in the LCP/ABS blends during melt blending. It is observed that SMA has a compatibilizing effect on the blend system and an optimum SMA content exists for mechanical properties enhancement. SMA improves the interfacial adhesion, whereas excess of SMA reduces the LCP fibrillation. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Structure and deformation of an elastomeric propylene–ethylene copolymer

The elastic behavior of a propylene–ethylene copolymer was investigated. An initial “conditioning” tensile extension up to 800% strain resulted in an elastomer with low initial modulus, strong strain hardening, and complete recovery over many cycles. Structural changes that occurred in the low crystallinity propylene–ethylene copolymer during conditioning, and that subsequently imparted elastomeric properties to the conditioned material, were investigated. Thermal analysis, wide and small angle X‐ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy measurements were performed at various strains during the conditioning process. Conditioning transformed crystalline lamellae into shish‐kebab fibers by melting and recrystallization. The fibers, accounting for only 5% of the bulk, were interconnected by a matrix of entangled, amorphous chains that constituted the remaining 95%. It was proposed that the shish‐kebab fibers acted as a scaffold to anchor the amorphous rubbery network. Entanglements of the amorphous chain segments acted as network junctions and provided the elastic response. The stress–strain response of materials conditioned to 400% strain or more was described by the classical rubber theory with strain hardening. The extracted value of M_c, the molecular weight between network junctions, was intermediate between the entanglement molecular weights of polypropylene and polyethylene. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 489–499, 2007     

Thermal and mechanical properties of uncrosslinked and chemically crosslinked polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer blends

Uncrosslinked and chemically crosslinked binary blends of low‐ and high‐density polyethylene (PE), with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), were prepared by a melt‐mixing process using 0–3 wt % tert‐butyl cumyl peroxide (BCUP). The uncrosslinked blends revealed two distinct unchanged melting peaks corresponding to the individual components of the blends, but with a reduced overall degree of crystallinity. The crosslinking further reduced crystallinity, but enhanced compatibility between EVA and polyethylene, with LDPE being more compatible than HDPE. Blended with 20 wt % EVA, the EVA melting peak was almost disappeared after the addition of BCUP, and only the corresponding PE melting point was observed at a lowered temperature. But blended with 40% EVA, two peaks still existed with a slight shift toward lower temperatures. Changes of mechanical properties with blending ratio, crosslinking, and temperature had been dominated by the extent of crystallinity, crosslinking degree, and morphology of the blend. A good correlation was observed between elongation‐at‐break and morphological properties. The blends with higher level of compatibility showed less deviation from the additive rule of mixtures. The deviation became more pronounced for HDPE/EVA blends in the phase inversion region, while an opposite trend was observed for LDPE/EVA blends with co‐continuous morphology. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3261–3270, 2007     

Interaction of crosslinked ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer blends with chlorinated organic penetrants

The sorption and diffusion of halogenated hydrocarbon penetrants through different ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM) blends, such as EPDM/natural rubber, EPDM/bromobutyl rubber, and EPDM/styrene butadiene rubber (50/50 w/w), were studied. The diffusion coefficient of halogenated penetrants fell in the range 1.5–14.52 × 10^?7 cm²/s in the temperature range of 25–60°C. Transport data were affected by the nature of the interacting solvent molecule rather than its size and also by the structural variations of the EPDM blends. 1,2‐Dichloroethane showed a lower mass uptake compared to other penetrants. The temperature dependence of the transport coefficient was used to estimate the activation parameters, such as the activation energy of diffusion (E_D) and the activation energy of permeation (E_p) from Arrhenius plots. The activation parameters for E_D of aliphatic chlorinated organic penetrants was in the range 7.27–15.58 kJ/mol. These values fell in the expected range for rubbery polymers, well above their glass‐transition temperature. Also, the thermodynamic parameters, such as enthalpy and entropy, were calculated and fell in the range 2–15 kJ/mol and 3–54 J/mol/K, respectively. Both first‐ and second‐order transport kinetics models were used to investigate the transport kinetics, and first‐order kinetics were followed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1366–1375, 2003     

Mechanical properties of polypropylene/crosslinked rubber blends

Mechanical properties of rubber-modified polymers are not single-valued functions of rubber/matrix type and rubber content, but also vary with processing conditions. The variations in mechanical properties with processing conditions arise mainly from changes in rubber-phase dispersion. In our past work, by lightly crosslinking the rubbers to increase their melt tenacity and strength, we have succeeded in producing fine and consistent dispersions despite diverse processing conditions. In this study, mechanical properties of polypropylene/lightly crosslinked rubber blends are compared with those of polypropylene/uncrosslinked rubber blends. The results indicate that, like dispersion, mechanical properties of polypropylene/crosslinked rubber blends also appear to be consistent and independent of process variables. The influences on mechanical behavior of degree of crosslinking, rubber content, and rubber/matrix type are also discussed.     

SEP/蒙脱土混杂材料对PP/PS共混物性能的影响

研究了苯乙烯一乙烯／丙烯二嵌段的共取物（SEP）及其与改性蒙脱土的混杂材料对PP／PS共混物的形态、冲击强度和拉伸强度的影响。结果表明，对于PP／PS共混物，SEP／CJ1－MONT混杂材料对PP／PS共混物的增韧增强效果比SEP更强。     

Cure characteristics,morphology, and mechanical properties of ethylene–propylene–diene–monomer rubber/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blends

Blends based on ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber (EPDM) and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) was prepared. Sulfur was used as the vulcanizing agent. The effects of blend ratio on the cure characteristics and mechanical properties, such as stress–strain behavior, tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness, rebound resilience, and abrasion resistance have been investigated. Tensile and tear strength showed synergism for the blend containing 30% of NBR, which has been explained in terms of morphology of the blends attested by scanning electron micrographs. A relatively cocontinuous morphology was observed for 70 : 30, EPDM/NBR blend system. The experimental results have been compared with the relevant theoretical models. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Processing‐improved properties and morphology of PP/COC blends

The aim of this study was to improve mechanical properties of polypropylene/cycloolefin copolymer (PP/COC) blends by processing‐induced formation of long COC fibers. According to the available literature, the fibrous morphology in PP/COC blends was observed just once by coincidence. For this reason, we focused our attention on finding processing conditions yielding PP/COC fibrous morphology in a well‐defined, reproducible way. A number of PP/COC blends were prepared by both compression molding and injection molding (IM). Neat polymers were characterized by rheological measurements, whereas phase morphology of the resulting PP/COC blends was characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The longest COC fibers were achieved in the injection molded PP/COC blends with compositions 75/25 and 70/30 wt %. Elastic modulus and yield strength of all blends were measured as functions of the blend composition using an Instron tensile tester; statistically significant improvement of the yield strength due to fibrous morphology was proved. Moreover, two different models were applied in the analysis of mechanical properties: (i) the equivalent box model for isotropic blends and (ii) the Halpin‐Tsai model for long fiber composites. In all PP/COC blends prepared by IM, the COC fibers were oriented in the processing direction, as documented by SEM micrographs, and acted as a reinforcing component, as evidenced by stress–strain measurements. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Mechanical properties of (ethylene acrylate copolymer)‐modified polypropylene/TiO2 blends

An ethylene‐(methyl acrylate) (EMA) copolymer produced from a tubular reactor was found to be effective in toughening polypropylene, even at low concentrations. The addition of a small amount of TiO₂ pigment enhanced the EMA toughening effect. Microscopy and thermal analysis helped to reveal the possible EMA toughening mechanisms. The effects of two processing methods, dry blending and melt blending, on the mechanical properties of the formulation were also studied. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 13:65–70, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Mechanical properties of polystyrene/ethylene-propylene copolymer blends

Some mechanical properties of blends of polystyrene (PS) and ethylene-propylene-rubber (EP) were derived from stress-strain and impact measurements. The strength and impact properties are improved by adding EP-g-PS graftcopolymer, prepared by reacting PS with EP, to the blends. It is assumed that the EP-g-PS graftcopolymer acts as an adhesive at the interface between the thermoplast and the rubber phases. The addition of the graftcopolymer reduces the dimensions of the dispersed rubber particles. High values of impact strength at reasonable values of tensile moduli could be reached by replacing EP for a smaller or larger part by EP-g-PS copolymer. These kinds of EP-modified PS blends had much higher impact values than those of comparable PS blends containing low density polyethylene (1 dPE) and 1dPE-g-PS graftcopolymer or this graftcopolymer only. It seems attractive to ascribe these results to the non-crystallinity of the PE-g-PS as compared with the crystallinity of 1dPE in 1dPE and in 1dPE-g-PS. However some caution seems recommendable as EP-modified PS fractures with microshear whereas, the PE-modified PS shows crazing.     

Melt rheological properties of polypropylene/SEBS (styrene–ethylene butylene–styrene block copolymer) blends

Study of melt rheological properties of the blends of polypropylene (PP) with styrene–ethylene butylene–styrene block copolymer (SEBS), at blending ratios 5–20% SEBS, is reported. Results illustrate the effects of (i) blend composition and (ii) shear rate or shear stress on melt viscosity and melt elasticity and the extrudate distortion. In general, blending of PP with SEBS results in a decrease of its melt viscosity, processing temperatures, and the tendency of extrudate distortion. However, the properties depend on blending ratio. A blending ratio around 5–10% SEBS seems optimum from the point of view of desirable improvement in processability behavior.     

动态交联PP/EVA共混物的制备与性能研究

本文将动态交联技术应用于PP/EVA共混体系中,制得动态交联PP/EVA共混物。采用Hakke转矩流变仪研究了动态交联对PP/EVA共混物扭矩的影响;研究了DCP和EVA含量对共混物力学性能的影响;考察了动态交联共混物的维卡软化点。结果表明：加入DCP后,PP/EVA共混物扭矩先升后降,DCP的添加量为EVA含量的1%为宜。随EVA用量的增加,动态交联EVA/PP共混物的冲击强度大幅提高,但拉伸强度有所降低。少量经动态交联的EVA颗粒可以促进共混物中PP的结晶, 提高共混物的维卡软化点。     

Polypropylene/polyethylene blends as models for high‐impact propylene–ethylene copolymers,part 1: Interaction between rheology and morphology

In this work, composition effects on interfacial tension and morphology of binary polyolefin blends were studied using rheology and electron microscopy. The amount of dispersed phase (5–30 wt %) and its type [ethylene–octene copolymer, linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE), and high‐density polyethylene] was varied, and the influence of different matrix materials was also studied by using a polypropylene homopolymer and a ethylene–propylene (EP) random copolymer. The particle size distribution of the blends was determined using micrographs from transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A clear matrix effect on the flow behavior could be found from the viscosity curves of the blends. Analyzing the viscosity of the blends applying the logarithmic mixing rule indicated a partial miscibility of the EP random copolymer with low amounts of the LLDPE in the melt. Micrographs from TEM also showed a clear difference in morphology if the base polymer is changed, with PE lamellae growing out of the inclusions or being present directly embedded in the matrix. To verify these findings, the interfacial tension was determined. The applicability of Palierne's emulsion model was found to be limited for such complex systems, whereas Gramespacher–Meissner analysis led to interfacial tensions comparable with those already reported in the literature. The improved compatibility when changing the matrix polymer from the homopolymer to the random copolymer allows the development of multiphase materials with finer phase structure, which will also result in improved mechanical and optical performance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

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.