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iPP/HDPE blends. II. Modification with EPDM and EVA
Author(s) -
Blom H. P.,
Teh J. W.,
Rudin A.
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(19960531)60:9<1405::aid-app16>3.0.co;2-0
Subject(s) - materials science , high density polyethylene , izod impact strength test , epdm rubber , compatibilization , polypropylene , composite material , crystallinity , elongation , polyethylene , ethylene vinyl acetate , polymer blend , linear low density polyethylene , copolymer , ultimate tensile strength , polymer , natural rubber
Past work has shown that addition of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) to polypropylene (PP) resulted in a significant reduction in the elongation at break and in the gate‐region impact strength of injection molded articles. In this study, we report on the compatibilization of these blends with ethylene/propylene/diene monomer (EPDM) or ethylene/vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers. EPDM is effective at improving the impact strength and gate puncture resistance of a 90/10 PP/HDPE blend. EVA, on the other hand, is effective at improving the impact strength and the elongation at break of this material. It was also found that EVA is a better impact modifier for PP than is EPDM. DSC analysis indicated that EPDM, when blended with PP, caused a significant reduction in the degree of crystallinity of the PP. This was not observed in the case of EVA/PP blends. Further, our results indicate that care must be taken in designating a particular material as a better compatibilizer than some other material. It is crucial that conditions be attached to the label compatibilizer, indicating in particular the desired mechanical properties of the blend. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.