Polymer nanocomposites PE/PE-g-MA/EPDM/nanoZnO and TiO2 dynamically crosslinked with sulphur and accelerators

Abstract

Nanocrosslinked elastic-plastic nanocomposites are blends that combine economically and performant properties of at least two polymers (elastomer and plastomer) and nanoparticles in a single product. In these blends the elastomeric phase is crosslinked in the thermoplastic melt blending under conditions of thermodynamic technology. This paper presents the development of multiphase elastic-plastic polymeric nanocomposites, dynamically crosslinked, reinforced with nanoparticles for products used in food and pharmaceutical domain, a new variety of composite material based on elastomer (ethylene-propylene-ter-polymer rubber - EPDM) and nanofiller (ZnO and TiO2) dispersed in the plastomer matrix(high density polyethylene-HDPE). Elastomers and nanofiller by nanometric dispersion in plastomer matrix have led to obtaining a performant polymer material with multifunctional characteristics (rubber and thermoplastic) and processing properties specific to plastics. Also, the elastomer was dynamically cross-linked in the plastomer matrix, during processing, by classic vulcanization system with sulfur and accelerators. Accelerators used, namely tert-butyl-2-benzothiazyl sulphenamide -Vulkacit NZ and benzothiazyl-2-dicyclohexyl sulphenamide - Vulcacit DZ. The crosslinking method is ecological, without release of aromatic nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic in the crosslinking process. Obtained composites were physical-mechanical characterized by standard methods specific to plastics.