Effectiveness of Compatibilizers and Filler on the Performance of the Blends of Thermoplastic Polyurethane/Polyolefins

Abstract

Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is a highly versatile material with superior physical properties but high cost. Melt blending of TPU with Polyolefins (PO) can lower the cost and improve mechanical and chemical properties. Since TPU and PO are completely immiscible polymers, property enhancement cannot be attained. Effect of incorporation of Polypropylene Copolymer (PPCP) as compatibilizer on the miscibility of the blends and effect of calcium carbonate as filler to enhance the mechanical properties were studied. Blends were produced by melt mixing using a single screw extruder. Miscibility studies were done using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and thermal characteristics were determined using Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). Mechanical properties like tensile strength, impact strength, flexural strength and hardness were also studied using Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The results show that the blend having 20% loading of polyurethane (PU) with suitable compatibilizers and calcium carbonate gives excellent performance in all aspects.