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Compatibilized blends of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polypropylene
Author(s) -
Lu QiWei,
Macosko Christopher W.,
Horrion Jacques
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.200350819
Subject(s) - compatibilization , thermoplastic polyurethane , polypropylene , materials science , ultimate tensile strength , composite material , thermoplastic elastomer , thermoplastic , polymer chemistry , polymer blend , amine gas treating , chemical engineering , copolymer , elastomer , polymer , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
Abstract Compatibilized blends of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polypropylene (PP) were developed using amine (primary or secondary) functionalized PP's (PP‐g‐NH 2 or PP‐g‐NHR). The strategy of reactive compatibilization is based on fast reactions between amine functional groups and urethane linkages or traces of free isocyanates released by thermal degradation of TPU. Excellent compatibilization between TPU and PP was confirmed by rheological, morphological, and mechanical properties. Much finer domain size, higher interfacial adhesion, and more stable morphologies were clearly observed by scanning electron microscopy. Significant improvements in the overall mechanical properties (tensile, tear, abrasion) imply significantly more reaction between TPU and PP phases in the two TPU/PP blends containing PP‐g‐NH 2 or PP‐g‐NHR than a TPU/PP blend using PP‐g‐MA as a compatibilizing agent.