Effect of vulcanization system on properties of thermoplastic vulcanizates based on epoxidized natural rubber/polypropylene blends

Various blend ratios of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were prepared with the objective of determining their suitability as biomaterials. Although the presence of HDPE in the blends enabled melt processing, the presence of UHMWPE helped to improve the toughness of the resulting blends. The processability of the blends was investigated with the Brabender torque, which was used as an indication of the optimum blend conditions. The blends were characterized with differential scanning calorimetry. The mechanical tests performed on the blends included tensile, flexural, and impact tests. A 50:50 (w/w) blend yielded optimum properties in terms of the processability and mechanical properties. The tensile property of the 50:50 blend was intermediate between those of HDPE and UHMWPE, but the strain at break increased 200% in comparison with that of both neat resins. The energy at break of the 50:50 blend revealed an improvement in the toughness. The fracture mechanism was also investigated with scanning electron microscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 413–425, 2005

High-density polyethylene/ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene blend. I. The processing, thermal, and mechanical properties

Rheological, thermal and morphological properties of maleated natural rubber and its reactive blending with poly(methyl methacrylate)

Rheological properties of maleated natural rubber/polypropylene blends with phenolic modified polypropylene and polypropylene-g-maleic anhydride compatibilizers

N.R. Neelakanthan

Papers

Mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of miscible blends of epoxidized natural rubber and poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid)