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Study of the modification of the properties of (PP/EPR) blends with a view to preserving natural resources when elaborating new formulation and recycling polymers
Author(s) -
Mnif Nizar,
Massardier Valérie,
Kallel Tasnim,
Elleuch Boubaker
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.20623
Subject(s) - materials science , electron paramagnetic resonance , polypropylene , elastomer , composite material , differential scanning calorimetry , ethylene propylene rubber , plastics extrusion , polymer , polymer blend , scanning electron microscope , dynamic mechanical analysis , natural rubber , polyurethane , copolymer , physics , nuclear magnetic resonance , thermodynamics
The aim of the present work is to study how CaCO 3 , very abundant on earth, can be blended with polypropylene/ethylene propylene rubber (PP/EPR) either to preserve natural resources when elaborating virgin formulations or to simulate mixtures of waste made of CaCO 3 filled PP with PP/EPR which could result from end‐of‐life‐vehicles (ELV). The article focuses on the studies of PP/EPR blends, used in the manufacture of automobile fenders, in the presence of nano‐CaCO 3 and compatibilizers. Blends of various compositions (with and without compatibilizer and nanoparticles) were prepared using a corotating twin‐screw extruder. The results were compared with the ones presented by a commercial (PP/EPR) blend. The experiments included mechanical tests, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic mechanical analysis experiments. The presence of the compatibilizers in the (PP/EPR) blends decreases the size of elastomer particles, improves the adherence to the interface and improves the mechanical properties. The nano‐CaCO 3 would also seem to act as a nucleating agent in the PP/EPR matrix; it increases the cristallinity and the Young modulus of the blends. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers