Silica-Reinforced Dynamically Vulcanized EPDM/PP Thermoplastic Elastomers: Morphology, Rheology
Ali Asghar Katbab, Saeed Bazgir, Hosein Nazockdast
Polymer Engineering Dept., Amirkabir Univ., Hafez Ave
IRAN

Keywords: Thermoplastic Elastomers, Silica Reinforcing , Morphology

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Attempts have been made to prepare dynamically cross linked EPDM/PP (60/40 W/W) blends loaded with various amounts of silica as a particulate reinforcing agents. Distribution of silica between the two phases under mixing condition has been studied. Effects of Silica upon the wettability and interfacial adhesion as the two main factors, which influence the development of the blend morphology, have also been investigated. The relaxation time spectra obtained by Rheometric Mechanical Spectrometer (RMS) as well as viscoelastic behavior of the blend system was found to be affected by the route of Silica feeding during melt-melt mixing. Addition of silane coupling agent and functionallized PP into the mix not only enhanced the affinity of PP for accepting silica but also improved the mechanical properties which is attributed to the stronger interface