Ethylene Octene Copolymer Phase Research Articles

Thermo-Responsive Shape Memory Thermoplastic Elastomer Based on Natural Rubber and Ethylene Octene Copolymer Blends

The shape memory (SM) polymers with superior SM properties were successfully fabricated based on melt blending of natural rubber (NR) and ethylene octene copolymer (EOC) at various crystallinity of EOC phase. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis, mechanical properties, temperature scanning stress relaxation, and shape memory properties were studied. Results revealed that the mechanical and thermal properties of the prepared NR/EOC blends improved as a function of amount of ethylene fraction in the EOC phase. The ethylene segment of EOC in the NR/EOC blend is triggered as a stimulus-sensitive domain. The shape memory properties in terms of shape fixity and shape recovery efficiencies of the blends tended to increase with the increasing of crystalline segments in the blends. The shape memory properties of the prepared blends substantially exceed the best performance (close to 100%) by blending the NR/EOC at 50/50 parts by weight, having 62%–80% of ethylene content in the EOC phase, which corresponds to approximately 3°–16° of crystallinity of EOC phase in the blends.

Improvement of Poly(Lactic Acid) Properties by Ethylene-Octene Copolymer and Organoclay

The work studied the morphological, mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC) blends before and after adding the montmorillonite clay surface modified with 25-30% of octadecylamine (clay-ODA). The PLA/EOC blends and composites were prepared by melt mixing in an internal mixer. The EOC contents were 5, 10, 20, 30 wt% and clay-ODA contents were 1 and 3 phr. The morphology analysis showed that the addition of clay-ODA could improve the miscibility of PLA and EOC phases due to the domain size of dispersed EOC phase decreased with increasing clay-ODA content. X-ray diffraction revealed the formation of intercalated/exfoliated structure in PLA/clay-ODA and PLA blend composites. The mechanical properties showed that the impact strength of PLA/EOC blends dramatically increased with increasing EOC content up to 10 wt%. The strain at break of PLA blends increased with increasing EOC content. Moreover, the incorporation of clay-ODA increased significantly Young’s modulus of PLA and PLA/EOC blends with increasing clay-ODA content. The thermal stability of PLA/EOC blends improved with the addition of a small amount of clay-ODA.

Morphology and Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Ethylene-Octene Copolymer Blends with Different Organoclay Types

This work studied the morphology, mechanical and thermal properties of poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC) (80/20) blends with different organoclay types. Herein, EOC was introduced to toughening PLA by melt blending and organoclay was used to improve compatibility and tensile properties of the blends. The two organoclay types were nanoclay surface modified with aminopropyltriethoxysilane 0.5-5 wt% and octadecylamine 15-35% (Clay-ASO) and nanoclay surface modified with dimethyl dialkyl (C14-C18) amine 35-45 wt% (Clay-DDA). The organoclay contents were 3, 5 and 7 phr. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation results revealed PLA/EOC blends demonstrated a two-phase separation of dispersed EOC phase and PLA matrix phase. The addition of organoclay significantly improved the compatibility between PLA and EOC phases due to EOC droplet size decreased dominantly in PLA matrix, so organoclay could act as an effective compatibilizer. The incorporation of organoclay increased significantly tensile strength of PLA/EOC/organoclay composites while Young’s modulus increased with 5 phr of organoclay. The thermal stability of PLA/EOC blends did not change when compared with neat PLA, and when added Clay-ASO in the blends could improve the thermal stability of the PLA/EOC blends.

Melt rheology and interfacial properties of binary and ternary blends of PS, EOC, and SEBS

ABSTRACTThis works systematically investigates the interfacial properties of the binary and the ternary blends based on polystyrene (PS), ethylene octene copolymer (EOC), and styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS) by analyzing the melt linear rheological behavior of the blends and neat components. Moreover, the relationship between rheology, phase morphology, and mechanical properties of PS/EOC ternary blends with various quantities of SEBS were studied. The surface shear modulus (β) and interfacial tension values obtained by Palierne model indicated that the EOC/SEBS blend has the best interfacial properties, while the lowest interaction was found for PS/EOC blend. Based on the Palierne model and Harkin's spreading coefficients a core–shell type morphology with EOC phase encapsulated by the SEBS shell dispersed in the PS matrix was determined for the ternary blends. Scanning electron microscopy results revealed that both fibrillar and droplet forms of dispersed phase could be developed during the blending of PS and EOC in presence of SEBS. The extent of fibrillar morphology and interfacial interactions in PS/EOC/SEBS ternary blends was dependent on the SEBS content. The improvement of the mechanical properties of PS/EOC blends in the presence of SEBS was evidenced by the tensile and impact resistance experiments. The tensile strength reinforcement was more pronounced for the ternary blends with more fibrillar dispersed phase. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48791.

Morphology and Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Ethylene-Octene Copolymer Nanocomposites

The effects of the montmorillonite clay surface modified with 0.5-5 wt% aminopropyltriethoxysilane and 15-35% octadecylamine (Clay-APTSO) on morphology, mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC)/Clay-APTSO composites were investigated. The blends of PLA/EOC with and without Clay-APTSO were prepared by melt mixing in an internal mixer. Scanning electron microscopy analysis observed the morphology of PLA/EOC blends demonstrated a phase separation of minor phase and matrix phase. The addition of Clay-APTSO in PLA/EOC blends showed significant decreased in droplet size of dispersed EOC phase, thus, Clay-APTSO acted as an effective compatibilizer in the PLA/EOC blends. The results of tensile properties found the decrease of Young’s modulus of PLA when added EOC due to the low modulus and flexibility of EOC. While the incorporation of Clay-APTSO increased significantly Young’s modulus of PLA/EOC blends at low EOC and Clay-APTSO content. The strain at break of the blends increased with the increase of EOC loading, this indicated the presence of EOC enhanced the elongation at break of PLA, while the addition Clay-APTSO reduced the strain at break of PLA/EOC blends. The tensile strength of all blend compositions improved when added Clay-APTSO and the tensile strength showed the highest value at 3 phr of Clay-APTSO. The thermal stability of PLA/EOC blends did not change when compared with neat PLA, and when added Clay-APTSO in the blends could improve the thermal stability of the PLA/EOC blends.

Exploring the influence of co-monomer content in the dry crosslinked ethylene octene copolymer based blends

This article illustrates the influence of co-monomer content in the ethylene octene copolymer (EOC) on the dry curing process of EOC:PDMS rubber blends. The EOC:PDMS blends were prepared by melt mixing in an internal mixer and crosslinked through electron beam radiation method. During electron beam irradiation both the EOC and PDMS phase gets crosslinked; which is evident from the gel content study. From the rheology analysis, it is understood that the EOC with high octene (co-monomer) content has better radiation crosslinkability as compared with the EOC with low co-monomer content. Through radiation crosslinking, the physico-mechanical properties of the EOC:PDMS system was improved significantly. The tensile strength of high co-monomer content EOC:PDMS 70:30 blends were drastically improved by 49.5% on irradiation with a dosage of 75 kGy. Morphology study of the EOC:PDMS system were carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and correlated with the physico-mechanical properties. The radiation crosslinked blends shows higher volume resistivity, lower dielectric constant, and loss as compared with the uncrosslinked counterparts. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers

EFFECT OF ELECTRON BEAM IRRADIATION ON THE STRUCTURE–PROPERTY RELATIONSHIP OF ETHYLENE OCTENE COPOLYMER AND POLYDIMETHYL SILOXANE RUBBER BLENDS

ABSTRACT The effects of electron beam irradiation on the structure–property relationship of blends can be studied based on ethylene octene copolymer (EOC) and polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) rubber at three different blend ratios prepared with a melt mixing technique. Irradiation with 2.5 MeV electron beam accelerating energy, over a radiation dose varying from 25 to 150 kGy, causes cross-linking in both the EOC and the PDMS phases. However, cross-linking of the EOC phase without affecting the crystallinity of the EOC polymer leads to tremendous improvement in the physicomechanical properties, including the tensile strength, which improves by nearly 35% for 70:30 EOC:PDMS blends. Morphology of the blends before and after irradiation can be analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy and correlated with the physicomechanical properties. The physicomechanical properties of the individual polymer components after irradiation show that radiation cross-linking is more effective for PDMS rubber than it is for EOC. However, at higher radiation doses, chain scissions are possible in both EOC and PDMS rubber, which affect the physicomechanical properties. Through blending and subsequent radiation cross-linking, the maximum degradation temperature of EOC can be increased from 488.6 to 512.8 °C.

Effects of Blending Sequence on Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Ethylene-octene Copolymer/Clay Nanocomposites

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of three blending sequences on morphology and properties of the ternary nanocomposite of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC)/clay with double compatibilizers of maleated PP (PP-g-MA) and maleated EOC (EOC-g-MA) prepared by twin-screw extrusion. The X-ray diffraction results in conjuction with transmission electron microscopy images indicated the mixture of exfoliated and intercalated structures possessed by the nanocomposite prepared by simultaneous addition of the ingredients. The nanocomposite in which clay was first mixed with PP and EOC-g-MA and then with EOC and PP-g-MA showed the same morphology. However, in the nanocomposite when clay was first mixed with PP and PP-g-MA and then mixed with EOC and EOC-g-MA, an intercalated structure was observed. The results of mechanical testing showed that there was no significant difference in the yield strength, tensile modulus and flexural modulus among the three nanocomposites. However, the Charpy impact strength of the nanocomposite prepared by simultaneous addition of ingredients was higher than that of the nanocomposites prepared in two mixing steps because of the presence of more organoclay inside the EOC phase in the former.

Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)/Ethylene-Octene Copolymer/Clay Composites

The effects of the montmorillonite clay surface modified with 25-30 wt% octadecylamine (clay) on mechanical and morphological properties of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/ ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC)/clay composites were investigated. The composites of blends of PMMA/EOC with clay were prepared by melt mixing in an internal mixer. The results showed that the Young’s modulus of the composites increased with increasing clay content. The ratio of PMMA and EOC was 80/20 by weight and the clay content was 3 and 5 phr. The results showed Young’s modulus of the composites increased with increasing clay content. While the impact strength, tensile strength and percent strain at break of the composites decreased with increasing clay content. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the droplet of dispersed EOC phase in PMMA matrix was changed to the elongated structure after adding clay.

Morphology, rheology and mechanical properties of polypropylene/ethylene–octene copolymer/clay nanocomposites: Effects of the compatibilizer

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of two compatibilizers, namely maleated polypropylene (PP-g-MA) and maleic anhydride grafted poly (ethylene-co-octene) (EOC-g-MA), on the morphology and thus properties of ternary nanocomposites of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene–octene copolymer (EOC)/clay nanocomposite. In this regard the nanocomposites and their neat polymer blend counterparts were processed twice using a twin screw extruder. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were utilized to characterize nanostructure and microstructure besides mechanical and rheological behaviors of the nanocomposites. Clay with intercalated structure was observed in EOC phase of the PP/EOC/clay nanocomposite. Better dispersion state of the intercalated clay in EOC phase was observed by adding EOC-g-MA as a compatibilizer. On the other hand, adding PP-g-MA resulted in migration of the intercalated clay from the EOC to the PP and to the interface regions. It was also demonstrated that the elastomer particles became smaller in size where clay was present. The finest and the most uniform morphology was found in the PP/EOC/clay nanocomposite. In addition, the rheological results illustrated a higher complex viscosity and storage modulus for PP/EOC/PP-g-MA/clay nanocomposite in which clay particles were present in the matrix. Mechanical assessments showed improvements in the toughness of the nanocomposites with respect to their neat blends, without significant change in stiffness and tensile strength values. These results highlight a toughening role of clay in the polymer blend nanocomposites studied.

Influence of 1,2-polybutadiene as coagent in peroxide cured polypropylene/ethylene octene copolymer thermoplastic vulcanizates

The present study investigates the influence of 1,2-polybutadiene (1,2-PB) as a coagent for peroxide cured polypropylene (PP) and ethylene octene copolymer (EOC) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs). Addition of peroxide in PP/EOC blend leads to cause crosslinking in EOC phase and β-chain scission in PP phase. As a result, the final properties are determined primarily by the ratio of those two competing reactions. Coagent assisted peroxide system is always an attractive and effective choice in order to avoid the β-chain scission in PP, to increase the crosslink density in EOC phase and to induce the interfacial reactions. In this paper, mechanical, morphological, thermal and rheological characteristics were studied with special reference to the effect of concentration of 1,2-PB. The best overall balance of mechanical properties was observed at 3 phr concentration of 1,2-PB. However, modulus and crosslink density values increase gradually as a function of concentration of coagent. The changes in the melting and crystallizing behavior of the blends were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Scanning electron micrography (SEM) analyses were performed to understand the particle size of the dispersed phase. Fractography was pursued to understand the mode of failure. Rheological properties were studied at different shear modes: oscillatory shear and rate controlled capillary rheometer. A variety of rheological observations such as Payne effect, modulus recovery and comparison of oscillatory and shear mode rheological results were discussed in details.

Effects of mixing sequence on peroxide cured polypropylene (PP)/ethylene octene copolymer (EOC) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs). Part. II. Viscoelastic characteristics

The effects of mixing sequence on the dynamic viscoelastic characteristics of peroxide cured polypropylene (PP)/ethylene octene copolymer (EOC) based TPVs were studied both in solid and melt states. When a peroxide is added to PP-EOC blends, two major competing reactions take place simultaneously: crosslinking in the EOC phase and degradation in the PP phase by s-chain scission. Three different mixing sequences were employed. They are as follows: (a) preblending method—melt mixing of PP and EOC followed by dynamic vulcanization (b) phase mixing method—curative master batch of EOC added in molten PP and (c) split addition method—preblending procedure followed by addition of half part of PP. Solid state viscoelastic properties were studied by using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Melt state viscoelastic properties were studied by dynamic strain sweep at 180 °C in Rubber Process Analyser (RPA 2000). The results indicate that both solid and melt state viscoelastic characteristics are strongly influenced by sequence of mixing. A good correlation is observed between the particle size of crosslinked EOC and the dynamic storage modulus obtained from the melt rheological experiments. Furthermore, the shortcomings of dynamic mechanical analyses in evaluating the properties of the TPVs are also critically discussed.

Interrelationships of morphology, thermal and mechanical properties in uncrosslinked and dynamically crosslinked PP/EOC and PP/EPDM blends

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on polypropylene (PP) with ethylene octene copolymer (EOC) and ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) have been developed by coagent assisted dicumyl peroxide crosslinking system. The study was pursued to explore the influence of two dissimilar polyolefin polymers (EOC and EPDM) having different molecular architectures on the state and mode of dispersion of the blend components and their effects with special reference to morphological, thermal and mechanical characteristics. The effects of dynamic crosslinking of the PP/EOC and PP/EPDM have been compared by varying the concentration of crosslinking agent and ratio of blend components. The results suggested that the uncrosslinked and dynamically crosslinked blends of PP/EOC exhibit superior mechanical properties over PP/EPDM blends. From the hystersis experiments it was found that PP/EOC blends also perform better fatigue properties over PP/EPDM based blends. It was demonstrated that, the origin of the improved mechanical properties of EOC based blends is due to the combined effect of the unique molecular architecture with the presence of smaller crystals and better interfacial interaction of EOC phase with PP as supported by the results of thermal and fatigue analyses.

Dynamically vulcanized blends of polypropylene and ethylene octene copolymer: Influence of various coagents on mechanical and morphological characteristics

AbstractDynamically cured blends of polypropylene (PP) and ethylene octene copolymer (EOC) with coagent‐assisted peroxide curative system were prepared by melt‐mixing method. It was well established that PP exhibits β‐chain scission in the presence of peroxide. Principally, incorporation of a coagent increases the crosslinking efficiency in the EOC phase and decreases the extent of degradation in the PP phase. The present study mainly focused on the influence of three structurally different coagents, namely, triallyl cyanurate (TAC), trimethylol propane triacrylate (TMPTA), and N,N′‐m‐phenylene dimaleimide (MPDM), on the mechanical properties of the PP/EOC thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs). The reactivity and efficiency of different coagents were characterized by cure study on EOC gum vulcanizate. TAC showed the highest torque values followed by MPDM and TMPTA. Significant improvements in the physical properties of the TPVs were inferred with the addition of coagents. Among the three coagents used, MPDM showed the best balance of mechanical properties in these TPVs. The results indicated that torque values obtained during mixing and the final mechanical properties can be correlated. Different aspects were explained for the selection of a coagent that forms a product with desired properties. The phase morphologies of the TPVs prepared were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Tensile fracture patterns were also analyzed to study the failure mechanism of the samples. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009