Blends of polyacetal and ethylene-octene elastomer: Mechanical,dynamic mechanical and morphological properties

Polyacetal (POM) and ethylene octene copolymer(EOC) elastomers form immiscible blends with extremely low compatibility. In order to improve the dispersion, stability and properties of these blends, dynamic vulcanization was carried out in a twin screw extruder using dicumyl peroxide. The tensile strength decreased with increase in % elongation at break for both blend systems. There was a drastic decrease in impact strength for unvulcanized blends as the elastomer content increased and this was attributed to the coalescence of the elastomer particles as their content increased. In the case of dynamically vulcanized blends there was a significant increase in impact strength as the levels of elastomer increased. Dynamic mechanical analysis has been carried out to investigate the effect of blend composition and dynamic vulcanization on dynamic mechanical parameters such as storage modulus, loss modulus and loss factor. The results indicate gross incompatibility of POM and EOC blends. However, dynamically vulcanized blends show better adhesion between component polymers. The morphological studies reveal that the particle size and coalescence of elastomer was significantly reduced in comparison to unvulcanized bends. The phase adhesion was improved by dynamic vulcanization. Hence, it was observed that dynamic vulcanization effectively improves the morphology of the blend system and enhances the properties of polyacetal.     

Studies on the melt flow behavior of thermoplastic elastomers from polypropylene—Natural rubber blends

The melt flow behavior of thermoplastic polypropylenenatural rubber blends has been evaluated with specific reference to the effects of blend ratio, extent of dynamic crosslinking of the rubber phase and temperature, on viscosity, flow behavior index, and deformation of the extrudate. The proportion of rubber in the blend and the extent of dynamic crosslinking of the rubber phase were found to have profound influence on the viscosity of the blends at lower shear stresses. But at higher shear stresses, the effect of blend ratio on viscosity was comparatively less for the uncrosslinked blends than that for the crosslinked blends. At lower shear stress, the viscosity of the blend increased with increase in degree of crosslinking but at higher shear stress, the effect of crosslinking on viscosity was found to vary depending on the ratio of the plastic and rubber components in the blend. The deformation of the extrudates was also very much dependent on both blend ratio and degree of crosslinking.     

Dynamic mechanical analysis of ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber and styrene–butadiene rubber blends

The effects of blend ratio, crosslinking systems, and fillers on the viscoelastic response of ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM)/styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) blends were studied as functions of frequency, temperature, and cure systems. The storage modulus decreased with increasing SBR content. The loss modulus and loss tangent results showed that the EPDM/SBR blend vulcanizate containing 80 wt % EPDM had the highest compatibility. Among the different cure systems studied, the dicumyl peroxide cured blends exhibited the highest storage modulus. The reinforcing fillers were found to reduce the loss tangent peak height. The blend containing 40 wt % EPDM showed partial miscibility. The dispersed EPDM phase suppressed the glass‐transition temperature of the matrix phase. The dynamic mechanical response of rubbery region was dominated by SBR in the EPDM–SBR blend. The morphology of the blend was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. The blend containing 80 wt % EPDM had small domains of SBR particles dispersed uniformly throughout the EPDM matrix, which helped to toughen the matrix and prevent crack propagation; this led to enhanced blend compatibility. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Mechanical and viscoelastic behavior of natural rubber and carboxylated styrene‐butadiene rubber latex blends

The morphology, mechanical and viscoelastic behavior of latex blends of unvulcanized natural rubber (NR) with carboxylated styrene‐butadiene rubber (XSBR) were investigated, with special reference to the effect of the blend ratio, temperature, and frequency. Mechanical properties like tensile strength, modulus, and elongation at break were also studied. As the XSBR content increased, the tensile strength increased up to a 50:50 NR/XSBR ratio and then decreased as a result of the self‐curing nature of XSBR. The dynamic mechanical properties of these latex blends were analyzed for loss tangent, storage modulus, and loss modulus. The entire blend yielded two glass‐transition temperatures, which corresponded to the transitions of individual components, indicating that the system was immiscible. To determine the change in modulus with time, a master curve of 50:50 NR/XSBR blends was plotted. Time–temperature superposition and Cole–Cole analysis were done to understand the phase behavior of the latex blends. The experimental and theoretical values of storage modulus of blends were compared using the Kerner and Halpin–Tsai models. With the help of optical micrographs, attempts were made to correlate the morphology and viscoelastic behavior of these blends. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2639–2648, 2003     

Dynamic mechanical behavior of high‐density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer blends: The effects of the blend ratio,reactive compatibilization,and dynamic vulcanization

The effects of the blend ratio, reactive compatibilization, and dynamic vulcanization on the dynamic mechanical properties of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) blends have been analyzed at different temperatures. The storage modulus of the blend decreases with an increase in the EVA content. The loss factor curve shows two peaks, corresponding to the transitions of HDPE and EVA, indicating the incompatibility of the blend system. Attempts have been made to correlate the observed viscoelastic properties of the blends with the blend morphology. Various composite models have been used to predict the dynamic mechanical data. The experimental values are close to those of the Halpin–Tsai model above 50 wt % EVA and close to those of the Coran model up to 50 wt % EVA in the blend. For the Takayanagi model, the theoretical value is in good agreement with the experimental value for a 70/30 HDPE/EVA blend. The area under the loss modulus/temperature curve (LA) has been analyzed with the integration method from the experimental curve and has been compared with that obtained from group contribution analysis. The LA values calculated with group contribution analysis are lower than those calculated with the integration method. The addition of a maleic‐modified polyethylene compatibilizer increases the storage modulus, loss modulus, and loss factor values of the system, and this is due to the finer dispersion of the EVA domains in the HDPE matrix upon compatibilization. For 70/30 and 50/50 blends, the addition of a maleic‐modified polyethylene compatibilizer shifts the relaxation temperature of both HDPE and EVA to a lower temperature, and this indicates increased interdiffusion of the two phases at the interface upon compatibilization. However, for a 30/70 HDPE/EVA blend, the addition of a compatibilizer does not change the relaxation temperature, and this may be due to the cocontinuous morphology of the blends. The dynamic vulcanization of the EVA phase with dicumyl peroxide results in an increase in both the storage and loss moduli of the blends. A significant increase in the relaxation temperature of EVA and a broadening of the relaxation peaks occur during dynamic vulcanization, and this indicates the increased interaction between the two phases. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 2083–2099, 2003     

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     

Effect of electron‐beam irradiation on poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber blend: dynamic mechanical analysis

The irradiation‐induced crosslinking in 50/50 poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber (PVC/ENR) blend was investigated by means of dynamic mechanical analysis. The influence of trimethylolpropane triacrylate on the irradiation‐induced crosslinking of PVC/ENR blends was also studied. The enhancement in storage modulus and T_g with irradiation dose indicated the formation of irradiation‐induced crosslinks. This is further supported by the decrease in tan δ_max and loss modulus peak. The compatibility of the blend was found to be improved upon irradiation. The Fox model was used to provide a further insight into the irradiation‐induced compatibility in the blend. Scanning electron microscopy studies on the cryofracture surface morphology of the blends as well as the homopolymer have been undertaken in order to gain more evidence on the irradiation‐induced crosslinking. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Linear viscoelastic properties of olefinic thermoplastic elastomer blends: melt state properties

The linear viscoelastic properties of two types of olefinic thermoplastic elastomer blends were studied using dynamic rheology. The first type consists of a blend of PP, SEBS and oil and has a co-continuous morphology. The second type consists of vulcanised EPDM particles dispersed in a PP matrix. The dynamic rheological behaviour of the blends is a weighted contribution of the properties of the two individual phases. In both blend types, the storage modulus at low frequencies can be correlated to the properties and morphology of the elastomer phase. With increasing PP or oil content in the blend the value of the modulus at low frequencies are reduced. The mechanical models of Coran and Veenstra are able to describe the dynamic moduli. An additional parameter was included to determine the oil concentration in the two phases. The model parameters are correlated to the composition and the morphology.     

Toughened polyoxymethylene by polyolefin elastomer and glycidyl methacrylate grafted high‐density polyethylene

Ternary blends of polyoxymethylene (POM), polyolefin elastomer (POE), and glycidyl methacrylate grafted high density polyethylene (GMA‐g‐HDPE) with various component ratios were studied for their mechanical and thermal properties. The size of POE dispersed phase increased with increasing the elastomer content due to the observed agglomeration. The notched impact strength demonstrated a parabolic tendency with increasing the elastomer content and reached the peak value of 10.81 kJ/m² when the elastomer addition was 7.5 wt%. The disappearance of epoxy functional groups in the POM/POE/GMA‐g‐HDPE blends indicated that GMA‐g‐HDPE reacted with the terminal hydroxyl groups of POM and formed a new graft copolymer. Higher thermal stability was observed in the modified POM. Both storage modulus and loss modulus decreased from dynamic mechanical analysis tests while the loss factor increased with increasing the elastomer content. GMA‐g‐HDPE showed good compatibility between the POM matrix and the POE dispersed phase due to the reactive compatibilization of the epoxy groups of GMA and the terminal hydroxyl groups of POM. A POM/POE blend without compatibilizer was researched for comparison, it was found that the properties of P‐7.5(POM/POE 92.5 wt%/7.5 wt%) were worse than those of the blend with the GMA‐g‐HDPE compatibilizer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:1119–1126, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Dynamic Vulcanization of Thermoplastic Elastomers Based on Poly(Epichlorohydrin-Co-Ethylene Oxide) and Polypropylene

Summary Unvulcanized and dynamically vulcanized blends of poly(epichlorohydrin-co-ethylene oxide) elastomer and polypropylene have been prepared by melt mixing in an internal mixer. The solvent resistance, morphology, dynamic mechanical and mechanical properties of these blends were studied with special reference to the effect of the crosslinking agent content. The swelling behaviour shows that the blends, with and without dynamic vulcanization, present excellent resistance to solvents ASTM A, B, C and D, at room temperature. Morphology study by scanning electron microscopy of the cryofractured surface and analysis of the dynamic mechanical properties of the system indicate that the uncrosslinked blend is immiscible and form a two-phase structure, where the rubber phase was dispersed as domains in the continuous polypropylene matrix. The mechanical properties of the crosslinked blends do not improve by increasing the doses of crosslinking agent.     

Influence of curative,filler, compatibilizer,domain size,and blend ratio on the dynamic mechanical properties of silicone–EPDM blends

Dynamic property measurements show two loss tangent peaks for silicone rubber at about ?95°C and ?20°C, and one peak for EPDM at about ?30°C. DSC studies confirm that the first loss tangent peak of silicone rubber is caused by its glass transition and the other is caused by crystalline melting of silicone. Measurements with blends reveal the individual characters of the components in the blends. Large differences in the solubility parameter between them also explains the incompatible nature. The effects of curative, blend ratio, and ageing are found on the glass-transition temperature and also on the storage modulus and loss tangent. Although filler does not change the glass-transition temperature, it changes the dynamic properties. Silane-grafted EPR shows an optimum concentration as a compatibiliser, resulting in improved mechanical properties of the blends. The domain size of the blends also reduces with the introduction of the compatibilizer. Imposition of restriction on the domains by partial curing during mixing results in materials with higher storage modulus. The morphology study indicates an interpenetrating network structure for these restricted domain blends. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Interpretation of the dynamic mechanical response of heterogeneous polymer blends in terms of continuum models

Dynamic mechanical measurements have been widely used for characterization of polymer blends and composites. This paper discusses application of continuum models to interpretation of the dynamic mechanical response of isotropic microscopically heterogeneous polymer blends. The models typically predict shifts in apparent glass transition temperature (location of principal loss tangent maximum) for each blend constituent. Experimentally observed shifts in the apparent glass transition of heterogeneous blend constituents may thus arise at least partly for mechanical reasons rather than because of changes in the properties or glass transition temperature of the blend constituents. It is suggested that, for heterogeneous blends of well characterized phase morphology, changes in glass transition behavior of blend constituents be determined by comparison of measured and calculated loss tangent maxima. For two-component blends, the loss tangent at the temperature at which the loss tangents of the blend constituents are equal may be useful as a further diagnostic tool for changes in loss mechanisius.     

Blends of low‐density polyethylene and liquid crystalline polymer

Blends of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and a glass‐filled thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP‐g) have been prepared by melt mixing techniques. The thermal transitions, dynamic behavior, morphology and crystalline properties of the blends have been measured by DSC, DMTA, SEM and XRD respectively. The crystallinity decreased with increase in LCP‐g content in the blends. At higher levels of LCP‐g, crystal growth is favored in the PE phase. From DSC, it is found that the thermal stability of the blends increased with the LCP‐g content. The variation of storage modulus, loss modulus and stiffness as a function of blend ratio suggested the phase inversion at the 40–50% level of LCP‐g in the blend. SEM studies revealed that with the increase in LCP‐g content, the flow of the matrix was restricted.     

Effect of dynamic vulcanization on the microstructure and performance of polyethylene terephthalate/elastomer blends

Blends of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and ethylene‐ethyl acrylate‐maleic anhydride terpolymer (E‐EA‐MAH) were dynamically crosslinked in a one‐step extrusion process. An amine‐terminated glycol reacting with MAH moieties was used as the crosslinking agent. The effect of blend composition and dynamic crosslinking on the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. Blend ratios ranging from 80:20 to 20:80 PET/E‐EA‐MAH were studied. The region of phase inversion was located for uncrosslinked and dynamically crosslinked blends. The rheological characterization was also carried out for these blends in comparison with the neat materials. After dynamic crosslinking, the phase inversion is shifted from the 30–40% range to the 70–80% range of elastomer content. This shift is induced by the increase of viscosity and elasticity of the network formed. Dynamically crosslinked blends show significant improvements in impact strength but also exhibit a decrease in elongation at break.     

Correlation between the morphology and dynamic mechanical properties of ethylene vinyl acetate/linear low‐density polyethylene blends: Effects of the blend ratio and compatibilization

The effects of the blend composition and compatibilization on the morphology of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE)/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) blends were studied. The blends showed dispersed/matrix and cocontinuous phase morphologies that depended on the composition. The blends had a cocontinuous morphology at an EVA concentration of 40–60%. The addition of the compatibilizer first decreased the domain size of the dispersed phase, which then leveled off. Two types of compatibilizers were added to the polymer/polymer interface: linear low‐density polyethylene‐g‐maleic anhydride and LLDPE‐g phenolic resin. Noolandi's theory was in agreement with the experimental data. The conformation of the compatibilizer at the blend interface could be predicted by the calculation of the area occupied by the compatibilizer molecule at the interface. The effects of the blend ratio and compatibilization on the dynamic mechanical properties of the blends were analyzed from ?60°C to +35°C. The experiments were performed over a series of frequencies. The area under the curve of the loss modulus versus the temperature was higher than the values obtained by group contribution analysis. The loss tangent curve showed a peak corresponding to the glass transition of EVA, indicating the incompatibility of the blend system. The damping characteristics of the blends increased with increasing EVA content because of the decrease in the crystalline volume of the system. Attempts were made to correlate the observed viscoelastic properties of the blends with the morphology. Various composite models were used to model the dynamic mechanical data. Compatibilization increased the storage modulus of the system because of the fine dispersion of EVA domains in the LLDPE matrix, which provided increased interfacial interaction. Better compatibilization was effected at a 0.5–1% loading of the compatibilizer. This was in full agreement with the dynamic mechanical spectroscopy data. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4526–4538, 2006     

Dielectric properties of isotactic polypropylene/nitrile rubber blends: Effects of blend ratio,filler addition,and dynamic vulcanization

The dielectric properties of isotactic polypropylene/acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber blends have been investigated as a function of frequency with special reference to the effect of blend ratio. The dielectric properties measured were volume resistivity, dielectric constant (ϵ′), dissipation factor (tan δ), and loss factor (ϵ″). At high frequencies, a transition in relaxation behavior was observed whereby the dielectric constant of the blends decreased with frequency, whereas the loss tangent and loss factor increased on reaching a maximum. The variation of the dielectric properties with blend composition was correlated with blend morphology, and relationships were established with reference to blend composition. Experimental ϵ′ values were compared with theoretical predictions. The effect of the addition of fillers on the dielectric properties was also investigated for different fillers and filler loadings. It was found that silica filler increases the dissipation factor, whereas carbon black and cork gave a reverse trend. The variation in dielectric properties upon dynamic vulcanization of the rubber phase using different vulcanizing agents (such as sulfur, peroxide, and mixed systems) was also investigated. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 255–270, 1999     

Dynamic mechanical properties of styrene butadiene rubber and poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) blends

The dynamic mechanical behaviour of uncrosslinked and crosslinked styrene butadiene rubber/poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (SBR/EVA) blends was studied with reference to the effects of blend ratio, crosslinking systems, a compatibilizer viz. maleic-anhydride grafted poly [styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene] (SEBS-g-MA), frequency and temperature. The two separate tan δ peaks, obtained during DMA, indicated the immiscibility of SBR/EVA system. The damping properties increased with SBR content for uncrosslinked and crosslinked blends. In the case of crosslinked systems, depending upon the type of crosslinking agent used, the glass transition temperature (T _g) of SBR phase has been found to be shifted to higher temperatures. The damping characteristics of the blends were observed to be affected by the variations in frequency. The addition of the compatibilizer improved the storage modulus and reduced the damping properties. These results have been correlated with the morphology of the blends, attested by scanning electron micrographs. The activation energy for glass transition has been computed. The experimental data on storage modulus were compared with theoretical predictions.     

Modified ethylene-propylene-diene elastomer (EPDM)-contained silicone rubber/ethylene-propylene-diene elastomer (EPDM) blends: Effect of composition and electron beam crosslinking on mechanical,heat shrinkability,electrical, and morphological properties

In this investigation, a gamma radiation-induced methacrylic acid (MAA)-grafted ethylene-propylene-diene elastomer (EPDM) was used as a third component (g-EPDM) in silicone rubber (SiR)/ethylene-propylene-diene elastomer (EPDM) blends. These blends were electron beam (EB) crosslinked. The effect of blend composition, the presence of g-EPDM, and EB crosslinking on the mechanical, heat shrinkability, electrical, and morphological properties of SiR/EPDM blends have been studied. To investigate the effect of grafted EPDM (g-EPDM), 10 wt % of g-EPDM was added to immiscible SiR/EPDM blends. Both silicone and EPDM are blended in different proportions (70:30 and 30:70) with and without g-EPDM followed by compression molding. To improve the properties and investigate the crosslinkability of binary and ternary blends further, the SiR/EPDM blends were irradiated by electron beam at different doses (50, 100, and 150 kGy). The gel content was found to increase with EPDM content, the presence of g-EPDM, and radiation dose. The addition of g-EPDM led to improvement of tensile properties (tensile strength, Young's modulus, percentage elongation, and toughness), electrical properties, and shrinkability of blends. EB crosslinking further enhanced the above properties. Surface morphology (SEM) revealed that the presence of g-EPDM and the incorporation of EB crosslinking improved the above properties of blends. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47787.     

Interchain crosslinkable polymer blends of polyurethane and polyacrylic elastomer (sulfur cure)

Blends of polyurethane and polyacrylic elastomers prepared by three different blending techniques have been studied in different blend ratios. The processability of the polyurethane elastomer was improved as a result of blending with the polyacrylic elastomer. The blending technique has a significant role in determining the physical properties of the blends. Improvement of physical properties was observed in the blends containing the interchain crosslink bonds. IR spectral analysis suggested the formation of interchain crosslink between the two elastomers phases on heat treatment, before the addition of any curatives. Thermal stability of the blends was also improved when preblending and preheating techniques were applied. The extraction of the single phase by solvent was also restricted to a significant extent for the preheated sample probably due to the interchain crosslinking. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 845–853, 2004     

Mechanical, rheological, and thermal behavior assessments in HDPE/PA-6/EVOH ternary blends with variable morphology

Visco-elastic and dielectric spectra of multiwalled carbon-nanotube reinforced silicon elastomer nanocomposites were used to study relaxation behavior. SEM photomicrographs shows well dispersion of MWCNT in elastomer matrix. In visco-elastic analysis primary relaxation was studied as a function of temperature (?100 to 100 °C) at frequency 1Hz and strain 1 %. The effect of MWCNT loadings on storage modulus, loss modulus, and loss tangent has been studied. The non-linearity in loss tangent, storage modulus and loss modulus was explained on the basis of MWCNT-elastomer interaction and the inter-aggregate attraction of MWCNT. The secondary β relaxation was studied using dielectric relaxation spectra in the frequency range of 0.1 Hz to 10⁶ Hz. The effect of MWCNT loadings on the complex and real parts of impedance was distinctly visible which has been explained on the basis of interfacial polarization of fillers in a heterogeneous medium and relaxation dynamics of polymer chains in the vicinity of fillers. The dielectric formalism has been utilized to further investigate the conductivity and relaxation phenomenon. The ‘percolation limit’ of the MWCNT in the silicon elastomer was found to be in the range of 4 phr loading.