In situ reactive compatibilized polypropylene/nitrile butadiene rubber blends by zinc dimethacrylate: Preparation, structure, and properties

Abstract

This study demonstrated an approach of compatibilization between polypropylene (PP) and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) by using zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA) as a reactive compatibilizer in the presence of peroxides. The PP/NBR/ZDMA ternary blends with improved mechanical properties were successfully prepared via peroxide dynamic vulcanization. The resultant blends exhibited a significant increase in mixing torque and complex viscosity after incorporation of ZDMA. Morphology studies showed that the addition of ZDMA reduced the size of the crosslinked NBR phase. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) verified that the possible reactions between ZDMA, NBR, and PP increased the interfacial thickness and improved the compatibility between NBR and PP phase. Crystallization behavior analysis indicated that incorporation of ZDMA promoted the nucleation process of PP. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the maximum degradation temperature was increased by ZDMA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2321–2331, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers