Effects of a Crosslinking Agent and a Compatibilizer on the Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Waste PP and Waste Ground Rubber Tire Composites

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effects of a crosslinking agent and a compatibilizer on the mechanical and rheological properties of waste PP and waste ground rubber tire (WGRT) composites. In order to simulate a commercial TPV, the component of waste PP and WGRT was fixed at 30 and 70 wt%, respectively. With the simple addition of SEBS-g-MA into the waste PP/WGRT composites, the tensile strength of the composite was decreased, whereas both the elongation at break and impact strength were significantly increased because of rubbery characteristics of SEBS-g-MA. In order to further improve the properties of the composites, the waste PP/WGRT/SEBS-g-MA composites was revulcanized with dicumyl peroxide (DCP). As expected, mechanical properties of the revulcanized composites was generally improved. Especially, with 15 and 1 phr of SEBS-g-MA and DCP, elongation at break was highest value of about 183% because of the recross-linking of WGRT without chain scission of the main chain. It was found that complex viscosity of the revulcanized composite increased which might verify further vulcanization of the WGRT.