Morphology and properties of PP/EPDM binary blends and PP/EPDM/nano‐CaCO₃ ternary blends

Abstract

In this article, the morphology, crystallization, and rheological behaviors of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) binary blend and PP/EPDM/calcium carbonate nanoparticles (nanoCaCO 3 ) ternary blend were investigated. Two processing methods, i.e., direct extrusion and two-step extrusion, were employed to prepare the PP/EPDM/CaCO 3 blend. The influence of EPDM and nano-CaCO 3 respectively on phase morphology and properties of PP/EPDM blend and PP/ EPDM/CaCO 3 blend were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic rheometer. The crystallinity and crystallization temperature of PP/EPDM blend were improved in comparison to pure PP due to addition of EPDM, but kept invariable with the increased EPDM loading. As the EPDM content was increased, the mobility of PP molecular chains was weakened. Compared with direct extruded blend, less and finer nano-CaCO 3 was dispersed in matrix of two-step extruded blend. Accordingly, the increased nano-CaCO 3 in matrix gave rise to a weaker increment in crystallinity and crystallization temperature of two-step extruded blend, and a later platform of tand curve.

Isotactic polypropylene (PP) modified by ABS and CaCO3 nanoparticles: effect of composition and compatibilization on the phase morphology, mechanical properties and fracture behavior

“…This type of deformation behavior was absent at different zones on the fracture surface of binary PP/ABS (80/20) and PP/ CaCO 3 systems described earlier (see Figs. 13,14,15). The micrographs in Fig.…”

“…There is a number of studies in the literature that dealt with the phase morphology and mechanical properties of PP/elastomer/nano-CaCO 3 nanocomposites [9,[11][12][13][14][15]21]. Ma et al [9] studied the phase structure and mechanical properties of PP/ ethylene-octene rubber (POE)/nano-CaCO 3 composites.…”

“…They demonstrated that the composite with SEBS showed a morphology in which SEBS domains and CaCO 3 particles were independently dispersed in the PP matrix, while the composite with C-SEBS showed a morphology in which CaCO 3 particles were encapsulated by C-SEBS. For the PP/ EPDM/nano-CaCO 3 ternary nanocomposite, Gong et al [13,14] described the effect of mixing sate on the morphology and mechanical properties. Due to the cavitation initiated by the debonding and the fibrillation present at interface as a result of welldispersed nano-CaCO 3 particles, the impact strength was pronouncedly enhanced.…”

“…Therefore, issues concerned with the simultaneous reinforcing and toughening of PP have attracted considerable attention. The incorporation of both rigid reinforcement and elastomeric phases into PP leads to the formation of ternary or hybrid composites, which have attracted much attention due to their potentiality in achieving both high stiffness and high toughness [6,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. In these heterogeneous systems, the macroscopic performance of the material is strongly dependent on the microstructure which, in turn, is controlled by the concentration of components, mutual interaction between the components and the processing conditions as well [6, 10-12, 16, 17].…”

Effect of the Ethylene Content on the Properties m-Polypropylene/EPDM Blends

“…However, its applications are somewhat limited due to its fragility, especially at low and very low temperatures. This has been overcome following two different approaches: a) Via co-polymerization of propylene with some ethylene, reducing so the crystallinity and as a consequence, increasing the toughness of the E-P copolymer; and b) Via blending of PP with and elastomer [1], usually EPM or EPDM, which can be either used as a simple blend, or can be vulcanized. These latter materials are known as thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV).…”