Effects of different polypropylene and ammonium lignosulfonate contents on the crystallization behavior, rheological behaviors, and mechanical properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer/ polypropylene/ ammonium lignosulfonate composites

Abstract

Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), made from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and polypropylene (PP) based on reactive blending, has excellent processing performance and characteristics and a wide range of applications. However, there are currently no reports in the literature regarding the usage of TPE in making composite boards. In this paper, EPDM, PP, and ammonium lignosulfonate (AL) were used as the raw materials, polyethylene wax was used as the plasticizer, and a dicumyl peroxide vulcanization system with dynamic vulcanization was used to make a new kind of composite material. This research studied the influences of the PP and AL contents on the crystallization behavior, mechanical properties, and rheological properties of the composites. The results showed that the PP content had a noticeable impact on the performance of the composites. The AL content had a major impact on the modulus of elasticity of the composite board. Accordingly, this kind of composite material can be used as an elastomer material for the core layer of laminated flooring.