Thermoplastic elastomers based on ionomeric polyblends of zinc salts of maleated polypropylene and maleated EPDM rubber

Ionomeric polyblends of the zinc salt of maleated EPDM rubber (Zn‐mEPDM) and the zinc salt of maleated polypropylene (Zn‐mPP) in the composition range from 90/10 to 60/40 wt% behave as ionic thermoplastic elastomers (ITPE), which show synergism in physical properties. The ionomeric polyblend shows higher physical properties than the corresponding non‐ionomeric polyblend. Infrared spectroscopy reveals the occurrence of intermolecular ionic interactions between the component ionomers in the blend. Zinc stearate acts as a platicizer in the melt of the ionomeric polyblend, which exhibits a higher melt viscosity than the corresponding non‐ionomeric polyblend. The blend can be reprocessed like a thermoplastic, with no drop in strength even after three extrusion cycles.