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Compatibilization of an immiscible blend of EPDM and POM with an Ionomer
Author(s) -
Bragaglia Mario,
McNally Tony,
Lamastra Francesca R.,
Cherubini Valeria,
Nanni Francesca
Publication year - 2021
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/app.50423
Subject(s) - compatibilization , materials science , ionomer , composite material , natural rubber , ultimate tensile strength , polymer blend , epdm rubber , toughness , vulcanization , elongation , methacrylic acid , phase (matter) , copolymer , polymer , organic chemistry , chemistry
Immiscible blends of ethylene‐propylene‐diene‐monomer (EPDM) and polyoxymethylene (POM), when EPDM is the major phase were compatibilized on the addition of an ionomer, poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid). The inclusion of the ionomer reduced the interfacial tension between the two phases, such that the diameter of the POM domains were significantly reduced to between 0.5 and 2 μm, typical of that required to toughen ductile polymers. The mechanical properties of the resultant compatibilized blends were significantly enhanced with increases in Young's modulus (↑54%), tensile strength ( σ , ↑139%), elongation at break ( ε , ↑97%), and tensile toughness (↑500%) with increasing ionomer content, relative to EPDM rubber alone. The ShoreA hardness of the compatibilized blend was 70.1 compared with 56.8 for the immiscible binary blend and, 50.2 for neat EPDM rubber.