The effect of mercapto‐modified ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) on curing parameters,mechanical properties,and thermal properties of vulcanized styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR)/EVA blends

The effect of EVA functionalized with mercapto groups (EVALSH) on the compatibilization of SBR and EVA copolymer blends was investigated in vulcanized systems based on sulfur or dicumyl peroxide (DCP). The presence of EVALSH resulted in an improvement of the tensile properties, indicating the reactive compatibilizing effect of this compound. The best mechanical performance was achieved with the sulfur‐curing system for both compatibilized and noncompatibilized blends. The blend systems were also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic‐mechanical analysis. The crystallinity of the EVA phase was significantly affected by the presence of the EVALSH, whereas no substantial change was detected on the damping properties or the glass transition temperature of the SBR phase. Considering the aging properties, the presence of EVALSH increases the thermal stability of the blends vulcanized with DCP. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 239–249, 2002     

Mercapto‐modified copolymers in polymer blends. II. The compatibilization of NBR/EVA blends

Ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer functionalized with mercapto groups (EVALSH) has been used as compatibilizing agent in nitrile rubber/EVA blends. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the system were measured as a function of the EVALSH content and blend composition. The compatibilization affects the mechanical properties of these blends. The highest improvement of the tensile strength has been achieved in the composition range corresponding to the co‐continuous phase morphology. The co‐continuity of these blends has been studied by both dissolution studies and scanning electron microscopy. The addition of EVALSH as an interfacial modifier did not change the region of co‐continuity but influences the percolation threshold for both dispersed nitrile rubber phase and dispersed EVA phase. From optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry analysis, it is possible to assume that the functionalized EVALSH copolymer affects the crystallization of the EVA phase. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 193–202, 2001     

Reactive compatibilization of polystyrene/poly(ethylene–co–vinyl acetate) (EVA) blends

A reactive compatibilizer, mercapto‐functionalized EVA (EVASH), in combination with styrene‐butadiene block copolymer (SBS), was used to compatibilize the blends of polystyrene (PS) and ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). The reactive compatibilization was confirmed by the presence of insoluble material and from dynamic‐mechanical analysis. In addition to a more uniform morphology with small phase size, the compatibilization also provided excellent stabilization of the morphology, with an almost complete suppression of coarsening during annealing. As a consequence, a substantial increase on the elongation at break without significant influence on ultimate tensile strength was achieved for compatibilized blends with different compositions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 14–22, 2006     

Effect of addition of EVA on the technical properties of extruded foam profiles of low-density polyethylene/EVA blends

Some technical properties (static mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, creep-recovery behavior, thermal expansion, and thermal conductivity) of low-density foams (50 kg/m³) made of blends of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and the ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) were studied as a function of the EVA proportion in the blends. These properties were compared with those of a foam made of a blend of EVA and ethylene propylene rubber (EPR). The knowledge of how the EVA proportion influences the behavior of these blend foam materials is a fundamental factor in order to obtain a wide range of polyolefin foams, with similar density, suitable for different applications. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 68: 1237–1244, 1998     

Radiation effects on LDPE/EVA blends

Radiation effects of low‐density polyethylene/ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (LDPE/EVA) blends were discussed. EVA content in the LDPE/EVA blends was an enhancement effect on radiation crosslinking of LDPE/EVA blends, and the highest radiation crosslinking was obtained when the EVA content was reached at 30% when irradiated by γ‐ray in air. The phenomenon was discussed with the compatibility, morphology, and thermal properties of LDPE/EVA blends and found that the enhanced radiation crosslinking of the LDPE/EVA blends was proportional to the good compatibility, the increasing degree of the amorphous region's content of the LDPE/EVA blends, and the vinyl acetate content of EVA. We also found that the vinyl acetate of EVA in the blends is easily oxidized by γ‐ray irradiation in air. The possible radiation crosslinking and degradation mechanism of LDPE/EVA blends was discussed quantitatively with a novel method “step‐analysis” process of irradiated LDPE/EVA blends in the thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) technique. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1296–1302, 2002     

Radiation effects on HDPE/EVA blends

In this article, we discuss the radiation effects of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer blends. In comparison with the low‐density polyethylene/EVA blends, the EVA content in the HDPE/EVA blends had a lower enhancement effect on radiation crosslinking by γ‐ray irradiation in air. The phenomenon is discussed with the compatibility, morphology, and thermal properties of HDPE/EVA blends. The HDPE/EVA blends were partly compatible in the amorphous region, and radiation crosslinking of the HDPE/EVA blend was less significant, although increasing the amorphous region's content of the HDPE/EVA blends and the vinyl acetate content of EVA were beneficial to radiation crosslinking. The good compatibility was a prerequisite for the enhancement effect of EVA on the radiation crosslinking of the polyethylene/EVA copolymer. The radiation crosslinking and the degradation mechanism of HDPE/EVA blends were examined quantitatively by a novel method, the step analysis process of irradiated HDPE/EVA blends with a thermal gravimetric analysis technique. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 553–558, 2002     

Mechanical properties and morphology of PA6/EVA blends

The mechanical properties of blends of polyamide6 (PA6) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) at a blending composition of 0–50 wt % EVA were studied. The notched Izod impact strength of PA6 increased with the incorporation of EVA, the increase being more than 100% compared to PA6 at 10% EVA. The tensile strength and the tensile modulus of the blends decreased steadily as the weight percent of EVA increased. Analysis of the tensile data using predictive theories indicated the extent of the interaction of the dispersed phase and the matrix up to 20 wt % EVA. SEM studies of the cryogenically fractured surfaces indicated increase in the dispersed phase domain size with EVA concentrations. On the other hand, impact fractured surfaces of PA6/EVA blends indicated debonding of EVA particles, leaving hemispherical bumps, indicating inadequate interfacial adhesion between PA6 and EVA. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1593–1606, 2002     

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。     

Dynamic properties of NR/EVA polymer blends: Model calculations and blend morphology

The dynamic mechanical properties of blends of natural rubber (NR) and the ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), a thermoplastic elastomer, were investigated in terms of the storage modulus and loss tangent for different compositions, using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) covering a wide temperature range. Mean‐field theories developed by Kerner were applied to these binary blends of different compositions. Theoretical calculations were compared with the experimental small strain dynamic mechanical properties of the blends and their morphological characterizations. Predictions based on the discrete particle model (which considers one of the components as a matrix and the other dispersed as well‐defined spherical inclusions embedded in the matrix) agreed well with the experimental data in the case of 30/70 NR/EVA but not in the case of 70/30 NR/EVA blends. A 50/50 blend, where a cocontinuous morphology was revealed by SEM studies, was found to be approximately modeled by the polyaggregate model (where no matrix phase but a cocontinuous structure of the two is postulated). © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 165–174, 1999     

EVA对三元乙丙橡胶与丁腈橡胶并用胶力学性能的影响

研究了乙烯－醋酸乙烯酯共聚物（EVA0对EPDM／NBR并用胶力学性能的影响。从实验结果来看，加入EVA后，并用胶的混合平衡扭矩降低，达到平衡扭矩所需的时间缩短，且无论用硫磺硫化还是用过氧化物硫化，硫化胶的力学性能都变好。用过氧化物硫化的EPDM／NBR并用胶力学性能要优于硫磺硫化的并用胶力学性能。     

Comparison Properties of Natural Rubber (SMR L)/Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Copolymer Blends and Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR-50)/Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Copolymer Blends

Mixing torque, morphology, tensile properties and swelling studies of natural rubber/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer blends were studied. Two series of unvulcanized blends, natural rubber/ethylene vinyl acetate (SMRL/EVA) copolymer blend and epoxidized natural rubber (50% epoxidation)/ethylene vinyl acetate (ENR-50/EVA) copolymer blend were prepared. Blends were prepared using a laboratory internal mixer, Haake Rheomix polydrive with rotor speed of 50 rpm at 120°C. Results indicated that mixing torque value and stabilization torque value in ENR-50 blends are lower than SMRL blends. The process efficiency of ENR-50/EVA blends is better due to less viscous nature of the blend compared to SMRL/EVA blends as indicated in stabilization torque graph. Tensile properties like tensile strength, M100 (modulus at 100% elongation) and E _b (elongation at break) increase with increasing EVA fraction in the blend. At the similar blend composition, ENR-50 blend shows better tensile properties than SMRL blends. In oil resistance test, swelling percentage increased with immersion time and rubber composition. At a similar immersion time, ENR-50 blends exhibit better oil resistance compared to SMRL blends. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of tensile fractured surface indicated that EVA/ENR-50 blends need higher energy to cause catastrophic failure compared to EVA/SMRL blends. In etched cryogenically fractured surface, size and distribution of holes due to extraction of rubber phase by methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) were studied and holes became bigger as rubber composition increased due to coalescence of rubber particle.     

Radiation effects on poly(propylene) (PP)/ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) blends

Radiation effects on poly(propylene)/ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (PP/EVA) blends are discussed. Increasing the EVA content enhanced the crosslinking effect of radiation in PP/EVA blends. This effect was significant when the EVA content was ≥50% in PP/EVA blends that were exposed to γ‐ray irradiation in air. This phenomenon is discussed in relation to the compatibility, morphology, and thermal properties of PP/EVA blends. The results indicate that the effect is dependent on the compatibility, the increase in the amorphous region content, and the EVA content in PP/EVA blends. The possible mechanism of radiation crosslinking or degradation in irradiated PP/EVA blends was studied quantitatively by a novel method, a “step analysis” process, and thermal gravimetric analysis. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3420–3424, 2002     

Morphology and elastic properties of PP/EVA polymer blends

Several polypropylene–ethylene vinyl acetate (PP/EVA) copolymers with compositions ranging from 90/10 to 10/90 PP/EVA were prepared and characterized in terms of their morphology by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and their mechanical properties were also studied. The results show a wide range of spatial structures which correlate well to the corresponding measurements of elastic modulus of the blends.     

Ultrasonic disassociation of EVA random copolymer in dilute solutions

Ultrasonic disassociation of the ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) random copolymer in 1,2‐dichloroethane (DCE), cyclohexane (CYH), and their solvent mixtures was investigated using viscometry and dynamic laser light scattering (DLLS). It was found that the disassociation of the EVA aggregates in solutions increases with increasing the time and intensity of ultrasonic shearing and approaches invariant finally. This phenomenon is especially marked for the EVA copolymer with low vinyl acetate (VA) content in the polar solvent of DCE at higher concentration and lower temperature. This is attributed to disassociation of the ethylene segment of the EVA random copolymer in dilute solutions. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2798–2802, 2001     

EVA对HDPE光交联反应的影响

采用测定凝胶含量的方法,以二苯甲酮(BP)作为光引发剂、三羟甲基丙烷三丙烯酸酯(TMP-TA)为交联剂,研究了辐照时间、乙烯-醋酸乙酯共聚物(EVA)含量对EVA/HDPE复合材料光交联的影响,并且考察了光交联后EVA/HDPE复合材料的力学性能。研究结果表明,EVA的加入会显著改变体系的凝胶含量;而辐照时间对EVA/HDPE体系交联反应影响很大;体系的力学性能随着EVA含量的增加而变化。     

Impact strength and dynamic mechanical properties correlation in elastomer‐modified polypropylene

This article describes the impact and dynamic mechanical properties of rubber‐modified binary blends of polypropylene (PP). Two conventional elastomers [viz. ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM)] were used as an impact modifier for PP. It is clearly indicated by the results that EPDM is better than EVA as an impact modifier of PP. Analysis of data of dynamic mechanical properties and impact properties at various compositions of the blends revealed a direct correlation between impact properties and dynamic mechanical loss tangent. The energy dissipation due to viscoelastic relaxation is therefore suggested as a mechanism of impact toughening of PP, in addition to the other commonly known mechanisms of toughening (viz. shear yielding and crazing induced by deformation of rubber‐phase domains). © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 962–971, 2000     

Rheology, Morphology and Estimation of Interfacial Tension of LDPE/EVA and HDPE/EVA Blends

Summary Rheological characteristics and morphology of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) /ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/EVA blends were compared. Morphological examinations clearly reveal a two-phase morphology in which the LDPE/EVA blends have smaller dispersed domain size than HDPE/EVA Furthermore, LDPE/EVA shows a finely interconnected morphology at 50wt% of EVA while HDPE/EVA exhibits a coarse co-continuous morphology at the same composition. The morphological observations can be attributed to the lower viscosity ratio and lower interfacial tension in the LDPE/EVA system. The Palierne model also successfully fits to the experimental data giving higher values for interfacial tension of HDPE/EVA system as compared to LDPE/EVA.     

Cocontinuous morphologies in polystyrene/ethylene–vinyl acetate blends: The influence of the processing temperature

The influence of the compression‐molding temperature on the range of cocontinuity in polystyrene (PS)/ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer blends was studied. The blends presented a broad range of cocontinuity when compression‐molded at 160°C, and they became narrower when compression‐molded at higher temperatures. A coarsening effect was observed in PS/EVA (60:40 vol %) blends upon compression molding at higher temperature with an increase in the phase size of the cocontinuous structure. Concerning PS/EVA (40:60 vol %) blends, an increase in the mixing and molding temperatures resulted in a change from a cocontinuous morphology to a droplet–matrix morphology. This effect was observed by selective extraction experiments and scanning electron microscopy. The changes in the morphology with the molding conditions affected the storage modulus. An increase in the storage modulus in blends compression‐molded at 160°C was observed as a result of dual‐phase continuity. An EVA copolymer with a higher vinyl acetate content (28 wt %) and a higher melt‐flow index resulted in blends with a broader range of cocontinuity. This effect was more pronounced in blends with lower amounts of PS, that is, when EVA formed the matrix. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 386–398, 2003     

Plastification of poly(vinyl chloride) by polymer blending

Blends of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with different copolymers have been studied to obtain a plasticized PVC with improved properties and the absence of plasticizer migration. The copolymers used as plasticizers in the blends were acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and ethylene-acrylic copolymer (E-Acry). Blends were studied with regard to their processing, miscibility, and mechanical properties, as a function of blend and copolymer composition. The results obtained were compared with those of equivalent compositions in the PVC/dioctyl phthalate (DOP) system. Better results than PVC/DOP were obtained for PVC/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blends. The plasticizing effect on PVC of EVA and E-Acry copolymers was similar to that of DOP. It is shown that crosslinking PVC/E-Acry blends or increasing the vinyl acetate content in PVC/EVA blends, are alternatives that can increase the compatibility and mechanical properties of these blends. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 1303–1312, 2000     

辐射交联LDPE/EVA混合体系泡沫片材性能的研究

辐射交联LDPE/EVA混合体系泡沫片材表观光滑、柔软,手感好,表观密度较小,材料具有优异的力学性能,较高的拉伸强度、断裂伸长率和撕裂强度。进一步研究了产生宏观性能差异的原因是辐射交联LDPE/EVA混合体系泡沫片材制备成型工艺的特殊性,体系的交联度对制品性能影响很大。通过凝胶分析知道交联度与辐照剂量、LDPE树脂的物理性能和EVA树脂在混合体系的含量有关。此外,LDPE树脂的物理性能和EVA在混合体系的含量对材料宏观性能也有影响。