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Effect of addition of polyethylene on properties of polypropylene/ethylene–propylene rubber blends
Author(s) -
Petrović Zoran S.,
BudinskiSimendić Jaroslava,
Divjaković Vladimir,
Škrbić Željko
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4628(19960110)59:2<301::aid-app15>3.0.co;2-z
Subject(s) - materials science , polyethylene , polypropylene , ethylene propylene rubber , composite material , electron paramagnetic resonance , izod impact strength test , natural rubber , elastomer , elongation , particle size , melt flow index , polymer chemistry , polymer , chemical engineering , copolymer , ultimate tensile strength , physics , nuclear magnetic resonance , engineering
Toughening of polypropylene was carried out by adding two types of ethylene‐propylene rubber (EPR) having different ethylene content, and three commercial types of EPR containing high density polyethylene (PE). The concentration of EPR was varied from 0–30%. Globular morphology of the dispersed phase was observed at all concentrations. Average particle size of the dispersed phase (EPR) was about 2–4 μm with about 10% within the 0.5–1 μm range. Although most of the properties were not affected by the presence of polyethylene, high notched Izod impact strength was achieved only with samples containing PE. Melt flow rate, yield strength and modulus were found to decrease almost linearly with increasing elastomer concentration in the blend. Elongation at break was enhanced by the addition of EPR, particularly those containing PE. The contribution of PE to the properties was explained by the specific EPR/PE particle morphology (core‐shell or interpenetrating) but the exact mechanism of toughening of PP with EPR in the presence of PE is not clear. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.