| Abstract: | Blends of ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) have been prepared by melt-mixing technique. Processing studies indicated the decrease in the viscosity of the blends with the addition of LCP. The mechanical properties like tensile strength and modulus increased up to 10% of LCP and then decreased. The crystallinity increased with an increase in the LCP content. At higher levels of LCP, crystal growth is favored. Thermal studies indicated the endothermic signals that were more prominent at all the peak temperatures. The surface degradation increases with an increase in elastomer (EPR) content in the blend. The relaxation phenomena, as observed from Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) analysis, are changing depending on the blend ratio. The dynamic modulus and stiffness increased with the addition of LCP in the blend. Under dynamic application, at higher levels of LCP, it was observed from scanning electron microscope that there were no cracks at the interface between the EPR and the glass fibers suggesting the better wetting of the fibers by the EPR. |
