The effect of zinc stearate on melt-processable ionomeric blends based on zinc salts of maleated high-density polyethylene and maleated EPDM rubber

Abstract

An ionomeric blend of maleated ethylene–propylene–diene monomers (mEPDM) and maleated high-density polyethylene (mHDPE) exhibits higher melt viscosity than the corresponding non-ionomeric polyblend. The addition of zinc stearate decreases the melt viscosity of the ionomeric polyblend. The ionomeric polyblend shows superior physical properties to the corresponding non-ionomeric polyblend. The addition of zinc stearate causes an increase in tensile strength of the ionomeric polyblend. Infra-red studies show that an interionic interaction exists between the zinc stearate and ionomeric polyblend. Reprocessability studies reveal the thermoplastic elastomeric nature of the blend.