Study on the Functionalization of Waste EPDM and PP Blend

Recycling of ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) scrap was tried by blending with polypropylene (PP). EPDM scrap powder was prepared by shear pulverization process at high temperature, which may lead to selective chain scission induced by difference in the critical elastic coefficient. On the other hand, EPDM scrap powder was prepared by adding a selected reclaiming agent during shear pulverization process at high temperature. Terpene as a bonding agent was then introduced to improve adhesion property. PP, used as a matrix for manufacturing thermoplastic elastomer, was modified by the incorporation of dicumyl peroxide and maleic anhydride. The functionalized EPDM and modified PP were blended and cured dynamically at 190oC. The blend materials prepared in this study showed the comparable results to those of conventional TPE in terms of tensile and flow properties. Also, the odor component of recycled EPDM was analyzed using GC-MS.