The Study of Recycled Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM-r)/Polypropylene (PP) Polymeric Blends

Abstract

In this study, recycled ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM-r) were blended with polypropylene (PP) by compounding via heated two roll mills with the various ratio of EPDM-r. Certain blends were included with PP-g-MA as a compatibilizer. In tensile tests, the increasing of EPDM-r content in blends resulted in the reduction of tensile strength and Young’s Modulus but increased elongation at break. Furthermore, the presence of compatibilizer in blends enhanced the tensile properties. It was found all the samples with compatibilizer performs better results in tensile strength, Young’s Modulus, and elongation at break than samples without compatibilizer. On the other hand, the aging affected were studied on compatibilized and uncompatibilized blends. It was found that aging affects the samples by decreasing the tensile strength, Young’s Modulus, and elongation at break. The crosslink density had been found higher in the blends with high EPDM-r content as the EPDM-r had the ability to swell. The morphological study related to the structure with the tensile properties. It was confirmed that the presence of a compatibilizer increased the compatibility between EPDM-r and PP matrix.