The Effect of Dynamic Vulcanization on the Mechanical Properties of EPDM/PP Thermoplastic Elastomers

EPDM/PP blends were prepared by melt mixing using Brabender Plasticorder at 200°C and 100 rpm. The curative concentration was progressively increased from 1 to 3.5 phr EPDM in order to study the influence of dynamic vulcanization on the mechanical properties of the blend. The effectiveness of dynamic vulcanization was ascertained by Brabender torque Rheometry, the increase in crosslink density, and the reduction in swelling index as well. The mechanical properties were found to increase with sulfur up to 1.4 phr after which reversion occurred. Scanning electron micrographs were inspected to differentiate between the cured EPDM/PP TPEs and the uncured counterpart. The micrographs showed that the blended system contains two incompatible phases. This is evident in both the case of the dynamically cured sample where the EPDM phase remains as dispersed particles in the PP matrix, and in the case of the uncured blend where the EPDM and PP formed two continuous phases.