IPP/HDPE blends. II. Modification with EPDM and EVA

Abstract

Past work has shown that addition of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to polypropylene (PP) resulted in a significant reduction in the elongation at break and in the gate-region impact strength of injection molded articles. In this study, we report on the compatibilization of these blends with ethylene/propylene/diene monomer (EPDM) or ethylene/vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers. EPDM is effective at improving the impact strength and gate puncture resistance of a 90/10 PP/HDPE blend. EVA, on the other hand, is effective at improving the impact strength and the elongation at break of this material. It was also found that EVA is a better impact modifier for PP than is EPDM. DSC analysis indicated that EPDM, when blended with PP, caused a significant reduction in the degree of crystallinity of the PP. This was not observed in the case of EVA/PP blends. Further, our results indicate that care must be taken in designating a particular material as a better compatibilizer than some other material. It is crucial that conditions be attached to the label compatibilizer, indicating in particular the desired mechanical properties of the blend. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.