Local thermal degradation behavior of heterophasic polypropylene copolymers

Polypropylene (PP) impact copolymer is one of the heterophasic PP systems that is improved by rubber modification. Because the copolymer is a complicated polymer blend, which mainly consists of PP and ethylene–propylene rubber (EPR) components, the degradation behavior has hardly been studied. In this study, the thermal degradation of the copolymer was studied through direct observation by atomic force microscopy, which is a powerful tool for observing a local domain in a polymer blend. The degradation behavior was visually captured by the mapping of topological changes. Although the EPR phase was hardly degraded, the neighboring PP matrix was degraded selectively. The degradation behavior of the copolymer was found to be heterogeneous. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1831–1835, 2006     

Partial replacement of EPR by GTR in highly flowable PP/EPR blends: Effects on morphology and mechanical properties

This research analyzes the effect of ground tire rubber (GTR) and a novel metallocene‐based ethylene–propylene copolymer (EPR), with high propylene content, on the morphology and mechanical behavior of ternary polymer blends based on a highly flowable polypropylene homopolymer (PP). The PP/EPR blends morphology, with very small domains of EPR dispersed in the PP matrix, indicates a good compatibility among these materials, which leads to a significant improvement on elongation at break and impact strength. The incorporation of EPR on the rubber phase of thermoplastic elastomeric blends (TPE) based on GTR and PP (TPE^GTR) has a positive effect on their mechanical performance, attributed to the toughness enhancement of the PP matrix and to the establishment of shell‐core morphology between the rubber phases. The mechanical properties of the ternary blends reveal that TPE^GTR blends allow the upcycling of this GTR material by injection molding technologies. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42011.     

The functions of crystallizable ethylene‐propylene copolymers in the formation of multiple phase morphology of high impact polypropylene

The functions of crystallizable ethylene‐propylene copolymers in the formation of multiple phase morphology of high impact polypropylene (hiPP) were studied by solvent extraction fractionation, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C‐NMR), and selected reblending of different fractions of hiPP. The results indicate that hiPP contains, in addition to polypropylene (PP) and amorphous ethylene‐propylene random copolymer (EPR) as well as a small amount of polyethylene (PE), a series of crystallizable ethylene‐propylene copolymers. The crystallizable ethylene‐propylene copolymers can be further divided into ethylene‐propylene segmented copolymer (PE‐s‐PP) with a short sequence length of PE and PP segments, and ethylene‐propylene block copolymer (PE‐b‐PP) with a long sequence length of PE and PP blocks. PE‐s‐PP and PE‐b‐PP participate differently in the formation of multilayered core‐shell structure of the dispersed phase in hiPP. PE‐s‐PP (like PE) constructs inner core, PE‐b‐PP forms outer shell, while intermediate layer is resulted from EPR. The main reason of the different functions of the crystallizable ethylene‐propylene copolymers is due to their different compatibility with the PP matrix. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Preparation and characterization of high MFR polypropylene and polypropylene/poly(ethylene‐co‐propylene) in‐reactor alloys

In this work, high melt flow rate (MFR) polypropylene (HF‐PP) and polypropylene/poly(ethylene‐co‐propylene) in‐reactor alloys (HF‐PP/EPR) with MFR ≈ 30 g/10 min were synthesized by spherical MgCl₂‐supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst with cyclohexylmethyldimethoxysilane (CHMDMS) or dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane (DCPDMS) as external donor (De). The effects of De on polymerization activity, chain structure, mechanical properties, and phase morphology of HF‐PP and HF‐PP/EPR were studied. Adding CHMDMS caused more sensitive change of the polymers MFR with H₂ than DCPDMS, and produced PP/EPR alloys containing more random ethylene‐propylene copolymer (r‐EP) and segmented ethylene‐propylene copolymer (s‐EP). CHMDMS also caused formation of s‐EP with higher level of blockiness than DCPDMS. HF‐PP/EPR alloy prepared in the presence of DCPDMS exhibited higher flexural properties but lower impact strength than that prepared with CHMDMS. Toughening efficiency of the rubber phase was nearly the same in the alloys prepared using CHMDMS or DCPDMS as De, but stiffness of the alloy can be improved by using DCPDMS. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42984.     

Effect of the compatibility on toughness of injection‐molded polypropylene blended with EPR and SEBS

The effect of the compatibility between a dispersed phase and a matrix polymer and the annealing on improvement in the toughness of injection‐molded isotactic polypropylene (i‐PP) blended with elastomers was studied. Two grades of ethylene‐propylene copolymer (EPR(A) and EPR(B)) and styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene tri‐block copolymer (SEBS) were used as elastomer. EPR(B), which has lower strength than EPR(A), was able to improve the toughness of i‐PP more effectively than EPR(A). However, SEBS, which has higher strength than EPR(B), was more effective than EPR(B). This result contradicts the toughening mechanism of relaxing the strain constraint due to void formation. Two reasons are probable. First, the volume fraction of the dispersed phase of the i‐PP blended with EPR(B), hereinafter referred to as EPR(B)/i‐PP, is much lower than that of the i‐PP blended with SEBS (SEBS/i‐PP) because of the high compatibility between EPR and i‐PP. Second, it is possible that the dissolved i‐PP in EPR increases the strength of the dispersed phase. In this case, the void formation from the dispersed phase is restricted. Therefore, the efficiency of toughness improvement by relaxing the strain constraint is decreased. The annealing improves the phase separation. As a result, the strength of the dispersed phase is decreased, and therefore the toughness is improved. The effect of the annealing of EPR(B)/i‐PP is higher than that of SEBS/i‐PP because of the high compatibility between EPR and i‐PP. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:29–38, 2006. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers     

乙丙嵌段共聚物相对分子质量及链结构对PP/EPR共混体系结构与性能的影响

设计合成了一系列不同相对分子质量和乙烯平均序列长度的乙丙嵌段共聚物（EP）,并将其作为聚丙烯（PP）/二元乙丙橡胶（EPR）共混体系的增容剂,考察了EP用量、相对分子质量及乙烯平均序列长度对共混体系性能及分散相形态演变的影响。结果表明,EP增容PP/EPR体系时存在最佳添加量,少量EP的加入可有效提高PP/EPR共混体系的抗冲击性能,并对分散相尺寸及形态起到良好的调控作用;同时,EP的相对分子质量越大对共混体系的冲击性能提高越明显,EP的组成与EPR越接近,对共混体系的增容效果越明显。     

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.     

New polypropylene blends toughened by polypropylene/poly(ethylene-co-propylene) in-reactor alloy: Compositional and morphological influence on mechanical properties

A new toughening agent, polypropylene/poly(ethylene-co-propylene) in-reactor alloy (EP-P), has been adopted to modify isotactic polypropylene (PP) in present study. Systematic investigation has been performed on the inter-compositional interaction, crystalline structure, and phase morphology of a series of PP/EP-P blends. It has been found that the PP component from EP-P is thoroughly miscible with neat PP and they together serve as the matrix of the PP/EP-P blends, while the ethylene-propylene random copolymers (EPR) act as the dispersed phase. The ethylene-propylene segmented copolymers (EPS), behaving as the compatibilizer between the EPR dispersed phase and PP matrix, strengthen mutual incorporation and effective diffusion of the amorphous PP segments and the EPR molecules. Based on the in-depth understanding of the crystalline structure and phase morphology, the correlation between morphological structure and mechanical properties has been established. The excellent impact toughness of PP/EP-P blends with higher EP-P content is mainly attributed to the small PP crystallites scattered in the blends and the well dispersed EP copolymer domains in PP matrix.     

Morphology, microstructure and compatibility of impact polypropylene copolymer

The morphology of impact polypropylene copolymer (IPC) was studied through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation, and a modified dispersed phase model of IPC with core-shell structure was proposed. Through fractionation of IPC, the glass transitions of the ethylene-propylene random copolymer (EPR) fraction, ethylene-propylene block copolymer (EbP) fraction and propylene homopolymer (iPP) fraction were detected, respectively. Moreover, the glass transitions and crystallization behaviors of EbP/iPP and EPR/EbP fraction blends were systemically investigated and several reasonable chain structures of EbP component were confirmed. The results reveal that the EbP component presents three glass transition peaks, and the glass transition temperature of ethylene-propylene random copolymer in IPC sample is remarkably lower than that of pure EPR fraction due to the existence of special structure of EbP component in IPC. In addition, co-crystallization occurring between the polypropylene chains in EbP fraction and in iPP fraction was found for solution-mixed EbP/iPP blends, and it is believed that there exists a dilute effect of EPR on the crystallization of EbP fraction for the solution-mixed EPR/EbP blends. Accordingly, it can be inferred that EbP fraction has good compatibility with both EPR and iPP fraction, and indeed it confirms that the compatibilization effect of EbP fraction in IPC was good.     

Effect of the elastomer viscosity on the morphology and impact behavior of injection molded foams based on blends of polypropylene and polyolefin elastomers

The impact resistance of injection-molded polypropylene (PP) parts is severely reduced when they are foamed. It is necessary to implement strategies, such as elastomer toughening, to increase the impact behavior of foamed parts. However, the knowledge on the effect of elastomer addition on the morphology, cellular structure, and impact of injection-molded cellular parts is very limited. In this work, foamed parts based on blends of PP and polyolefin elastomers have been produced and characterized. A high and a low viscosity octene-ethylene copolymer (EOC) and a high viscosity butene-ethylene copolymer (EBC) were employed. The blends have been thermally and rheological characterized. Solids materials and foams (relative density 0.76) were injection-molded. The solid phase and cellular structure morphologies were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that elastomer toughening has been successful to obtain an improvement of the impact behavior in solid and cellular polymers. In this case, EOC materials provide an appropriate interfacial adhesion and optimized cellular structure which results in high impact resistance. The optimum elastomer to improve the properties is the EOC with a higher viscosity which provides impact resistance with n values below 3 due to the toughening of polymer matrix, thick skin thickness, and low cell size.     

聚丙烯结构形态对性能的影响

用红外光谱、动态粘弹谱、透射电镜、X光衍射仪、DSC、偏光显微镜和机械力学性能测试仪等手段对均聚、嵌段共聚、无规共聚PP进行了结构、形态与性能关系的研究。结果表明,嵌段共聚物中乙烯在红外谱图中显示两个特征峰,而无规共聚物中乙烯只出现—个特征峰。研究还证明,PP嵌段共聚物是PP、PE、EPR多元组分的共混物。PE包含在EPR中以球形无规地分散在PP基体中。EPR的含量是提高PP共聚物冲击性能的决定因素。无规共聚物形态接近均相体系,其冲击强度小于嵌段共聚物而大于均聚物。     

Synthesis of a maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene–butadiene copolymer and its application in polypropylene/styrene–butadiene–styrene triblock copolymer/organophilic montmorillonite composites as a compatibilizer

A maleic anhydride grafted propylene–butadiene copolymer (MPPB) was prepared. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H‐NMR results indicate that the maleic anhydride molecules reacted with the double bond in the butadiene unit of the propylene–butadiene copolymer (PPB), and the grafting percentage increased with the butadiene content in the initial copolymer. The gel permeation chromatography results show that the introduction of butadiene in the copolymer prevented the degradation of PPB. The MPPB was applied in polypropylene (PP)/styrene‐butadiene‐styrene triblock copolymer (SBS)/organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) composites as a compatibilizer. In the presence of 10‐phr MPPB, the impact strength of the composite was improved by about 20%. X‐ray diffraction patterns indicated the formation of the β‐phase crystallization of PP in the presence of MPPB, and a significant decrease in the spherulite size was observed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the OMMT was better dispersed in the matrix upon the inclusion of MPPB. A better distribution of the rubber phase and a rugged fracture surface were observed in the scanning electron microscopy images as the MPPB proportion was increased. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Isotactic polypropylene/ethylene‐co‐propylene blends: Influence of the copolymer microstructure on rheology,morphology, and properties of injection‐molded samples

Meltrheological behavior, phase morphology, and impact properties of isotactic‐polypropylene (iPP)‐based blends containing ethylene–propylene copolymer (EPR) synthesized by means of a titanium‐based catalyst with very high stereospecific activity (EPR_Ti) were compared to those of iPP/EPR blends containing EPR copolymers synthesized by using a traditional vanadium‐based catalyst (EPR_V). The samples of EPR copolymers were synthesized ad hoc. They were characterized by comparable propylene content, average molecular masses, and molecular mass distribution in order to assess the effects of distribution of composition and sequence lengths of the structural units on the structure–properties correlations established in the melt and in the solid state while studying different iPP/EPR pairs.^1–5 Differential scanning calorimetry, (DSC), wide‐angle X‐ray spectroscopy (WAXS), small‐angle X‐ray (SAXS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations showed that the EPR_Ti chain is characterized by the presence of long ethylenic sequences with constitutional and configurational regularity required for crystallization of the polyethylene (PE) phase occurring, whereas a microstructure typical of a random ethylene–propylene copolymer was exhibited by the EPR_V copolymer. The different intra‐ and intermolecular homogeneity shown by such EPR phases was found to affect their melt rheological behavior at the temperatures of 200 and 250°C; all the EPR_Ti dynamic–viscoelastic properties resulting were lower than that shown by the EPR_V copolymer. As far as the melt rheological behavior of the iPP/EPR_V and iPP/EPR_Ti blends was concerned, both the iPP/EPR pairs are to be classified as “negative deviation blends” with G′ and G" values higher than that shown by the plain components. The extent of the observed deviation in the viscosity values and of the increase in the amounts of stored and dissipated energy shown by such iPP/EPR pairs was found to be dependent on copolymer microstructure, being larger for the melts containing the EPR_Ti copolymer. The application of the Cross–Bueche equation also confirmed that, in absence of shear, the melt phase viscosity ratio is the main factor in determining the viscosity of iPP/EPR blends and their viscoelastic parameters. The general correlation established between EPR dispersion degree (range of particle size and number‐average particle size), as determined in injection‐molded samples, and melt phase viscosity ratio (μ) was ratified; the type of dependence of EPR size upon μ value was in qualitative agreement with the prediction of the Taylor–Tomotika theory. Contrary to expectation,^1–5 for test temperature close to iPP T_g, EPR_V particles ranging in size between 0.75 and 1.25 μm resulted and were more effective than EPR_Ti particles, ranging in size between 0.25 and 0.75 μm, in promoting multiple craze formation. Also taking into account the SAXS results, revealed that the molecular superstructure (i.e., crystalline lamellar thickness and amorphous interlayer) of the iPP matrix is unaffected by both the presence of EPR_Ti and EPR_V phase. The above finding was related to the ethylenic crystallinity degree shown by the EPR_Ti copolymer. In particular, such a degree of crystallinity was supposed to deteriorate toughening by decreasing the tie molecules density in the EPR_Ti domains, notwithstanding the beneficial effect of the ethylenic lamellar buildup. For test temperature close to room temperature, the ductile behavior exhibited by the iPP/EPR_Ti blends was accounted for by a predominant shear yielding fracture mechanism probably promoted by a high concentration of interlamellar tie molecules among iPP crystallites in agreement with DSC results. Nonisothermal crystallization experiments showed, in fact, that the crystallization peak of the iPP phase from iPP/EPR_Ti melt is shifted to higher temperatures noticeably, thus indicating a material characterized by a comparatively higher number of spherulites per unit value grown at lower apparent undercooling values. Accordingly, WAXS analysis revealed comparatively higher iPP crystal growth in the directions perpendicular to the crystallographic planes (110) and (040) of the iPP. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 701–719, 1999     

Rheology of EPR/PP blends

The rheological behavior of polypropylene, PP, ethylene‐propylene copolymer, EPR, and EPR/PP blends was studied. Zero‐shear viscosity and elastic relaxation time were determined by least‐squares fits by using a Carreau–Yasuda model with Arrhenius temperature dependency. The effect of PP and EPR molecular weight, ethylene ratio in EPR copolymer (E/EPR), and EPR concentration on the zero‐shear viscosity and elasticity of EPR/PP blends was determined experimentally. Molecular weight effects are compared to theoretically expected relationships. EPR concentration effect and E/EPR ratio effects agree well with predictions made by using the Tsenoglou model. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 2113–2127, 2001     

Binary and ternary blends of recycled high‐density polyethylene containing polypropylenes

Binary and ternary blends of the high viscosity recycled high‐density polyethylene (reHDPE) from milk bottles, containing either homopolymer polypropylene (PP) or copolymer polypropylene (coPP), were developed in an effort to reduce viscosity and encourage ease of processing by injection molding, without a significant loss in mechanical properties. A grade of PP and a grade of coPP that had crystallization temperatures close to and slightly lower than that of reHDPE were chosen for blending in order to obtain simultaneous crystallization of the reHDPE and (co)PP phases. The resulting reHDPE/(co)PP blends (reHDPE wt% = 77) generally showed very good mechanical properties and, in particular, sufficiently high impact strength while engendering considerably lower viscosity than reHDPE. The PP was more useful at very high and low shear rates whereas the coPP was the most efficient in the mid‐range of shear rates (10² – 10³ sec^?1). Good impact resistance shown by the reHDPE/(co)PP blends was attributed in part to the fine dispersion of (co)PP phase, possible involvement of a portion of the polymers in a co‐continuous structure and simultaneous crystallization of the components. Ternary blends of reHDPE (reHDPE wt% = 77), PP and low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) showed good mechanical performance, although they were more viscous than (co)PP blends. In the ternary blends, co‐crystallization of reHDPE and LDPE phases was preserved (1).     

Structural characterization of reactor blends of polypropylene and ethylene‐propylene rubber

Blends of isotactic polypropylene (PP), ethylene‐propylene rubber copolymer (EPR), and ethylene‐propylene crystalline copolymer (EPC) can be produced through in situ polymerization processes directly in the reactor and blends with different structure and composition can be obtained. In this work we studied the structure of five reactor‐made blends of PP, EPR, and EPC produced by a Ziegler‐Natta catalyst system. The composition of EPR was related to the ratio between ethylene and propylene used in the copolymerization step. The ethylene content in the EPR was in the range of 50–70 mol %. The crystallization behavior of PP and EPC in the blends was influenced by the presence of the rubber, and some specific interactions between the components could be established. By preparative temperature rising elution fractionation (P‐TREF) analysis, the isolation and characterization of crystalline EPC fractions were made. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2155–2162, 2004     

Blend compatibilizers based on silane‐ and maleic anhydride–modified polyolefins

Polypropylene (PP)/polyamide blends were compatibilized with PP modified with vinylsilane or maleic anhydride and ethylene–propylene random (EPR) copolymer modified with maleic anhydride. The thermal behavior, mechanical properties, and morphology of the blends were investigated. Thermal analysis showed that the polyamide crystallization temperatures shifted downward with all compatibilizers, whereas its melting behavior did not change. On the other hand, polypropylene crystallization temperatures shifted upward in all cases, except for blends containing EPR modified with maleic anhydride. Tensile strength and elongation at break increased for blends compatibilized with modified PP. Blends containing up to 7% of EPR modified with maleic anhydride did not show good yield stresses. The morphology of the blends showed a finer dispersion of the polyamide minor phase in the PP matrix. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2492–2498, 2003     

Effect of viscosity ratio,rubber composition,and peroxide/coagent treatment in PP/EPR blends

Effect of Viscosity ratio (ηEPR/ηPP), propylene (C₃) content of (ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPR)), and peroxide/coagent treatment on polypropylene (PP)/EPR (80/20 by weight) melt blends were studied in terms of morphological, rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties. As the viscosity ratio increases from approximately 0.8 to 1.2, domain size increased (submicron-1.5 μm), and the degree of supercooling (ΔT) for crystallization increased (37.4–47.8°C) due to the decreased crystallization temperature (T_cc, 122.2–110.8°C). This resulted in larger spherulite size and increased hardness, modulus, and yield strength. With high C₃ EPR, total crystallinity (ΔH_f) of PP decreased, together with the mechanical properties, except the impact strength. With peroxide/coagent treatment, the spherulite size significantly decreased. The notched Izod impact strength decreased with increasing viscosity ratio, but significantly increased with high C₃ EPR and with peroxide/coagent treatments. The results were interpreted in terms of domain size and shape, chemical affinity between PP and EPR, copolymer formation, and main chain scission of PP. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Mechanical properties and morphology of crosslinked PP/PE blends and PP/PE/propylene–ethylene copolymer blends

Blending is an effective method for improving polymer properties. However, the problem of phase separation often occurs due to incompatibility of homopolymers, which deteriorates the physical properties of polyblends. In this study, isotactic polypropylene was blended with low-density polyethylene. Crosslinking agent and copolymers of propylene and ethylene (either random copolymer or block copolymer) were added to improve the interfacial adhesion of PP/LDPE blends. The tensile strength, heat deflection temperature, and impact strength of these modified PP/PE blends were investigated. The microstructures of polyblends have been studied to interpret the mechanical behavior through dynamic viscoelasticity, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, picnometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The properties of crosslinked PP/PE blends were determined by the content of crosslinking agent and processing method. For the material blended by roll, a 2% concentration of peroxide corresponded to a maximum tensile strength and minimum impact strength. However, the mechanical strength of those products blended by extrusion monotonously decreased with increasing peroxide content because of serious degradation. The interfacial adhesion of PP/PE blends could be enhanced by adding random or block copolymer of propylene and ethylene, and the impact strength as well as ductility were greatly improved. Experimental data showed that the impact strength of PP/LDPE/random copolymer ternary blend could reach as high as 33.3 kg · cm/cm; however, its rigidity and tensile strength were inferior to those of PP/LDPE/block copolymer blend.     

Rheological,thermal, and morphological properties of blends based on poly(propylene), ethylene propylene rubber,and ethylene-1-octene copolymer that could result from end of life vehicles: Effect of maleic anhydride grafted poly(propylene)

The objective of this work is to study the properties of blends that could result from the recycling of end-of-life vehicles (ELV). While ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) have been used extensively as elastomeric additives in poly(propylene) (PP), they can be substituted by ethylene-1-octene copolymer (EOC). As a consequence, the matter resulting from the sorting of ELV might be more complex and made of PP, EPR, and EOC. The effect of incorporating EOC [that is a polyethylene elastomer (PEE)] and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) on the rheological, thermal, and morphological properties of PP/EPR blends has been investigated. Blends of various compositions (with and without compatibilizer) were prepared using a corotating twin-screw extruder. The results were compared to the ones presented by a commercial (PP/EPR) blend. The EPR phase is dispersed in the form of spherical particles in (PP/EPR). The EOC phase is dispersed in the form of aggregated particles. Dynamic viscoelastic and differential scanning calorimetry properties of (PP/EPR)/EOC blends shows the incompatibility of the components even in presence of PP-g-MAH copolymer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1009–1015, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers