Ternary Blends Of Polypropylene Research Articles

The Structure of Thermoplastic Vulcanisates Based on Rubbers of Different Polarity and Polypropylene

To expand the range of properties and the range of types of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), materials based on ternary blends of polypropylene and polar and non-polar rubbers were produced and investigated. To obtain blended and dynamically vulcanised materials, one- and two-stage methods were tested. It was established that the best properties are possessed by composites produced using master batches (rubber mixes) based on a thermoplastic vulcanisate (TPV) rubber phase, and to improve the combination of polymers of different polarity, functionalised additives modifying the polypropylene are necessary. Optical microscopy was used to study the influence of compounding factors (the ratio of components of the polymer phase, the presence or absence of compatibilisers) and technological factors (the production method) on the structure and properties both of blended and of dynamically vulcanised TPEs. A study of the morphology of blended and vulcanised TPEs showed that, in all cases, in the polypropylene, which is the dispersion medium, there are areas rich in rubber to different degrees. Here, fragments of polar rubber are found both in the polypropylene and in zones rich in non-polar rubber, and the range of particle sizes of the disperse phase depends on the production method. The introduction of a compatibiliser leads to a considerable increase in the homogeneity of distribution of the components throughout the material, and to a reduction in the size range of the disperse phase and in the thickness of the polypropylene-rich surface layer of the extrudate (strand). In the surface layer of the strands, anisotropy of the polypropylene fibrils is observed in the direction of extrusion.

Phase Morphology and its Role on Tensile Properties in Ternary Blends of PP/PC/SEBS

This work deals with phase morphology in ternary blends of polypropylene (PP)/ polycarbonate (PC)/ poly (styrene-b-(ethyl- ene-co-butylene)-b-styrene) (SEBS) based on PP continuous phase and also its consequence on tensile properties. Firstly, two types of conceptual models have been employed to foresee the type of morphology based on interfacial tension of polymer pairs. Scanning electron microscopy has been used to witness the predicted morphology; however, the relative interfacial energy model was the only theoretical relation which agreed with observed morphology in PP/PC/SEBS ternary blends. The composition of mentioned blends was varied and the tensile properties were measured. It has been found that the blend composition has significant influence on the size of microstructures followed by its consequence on tensile characteristics.

Study on the effect of processing conditions on the impact strength of PP/SEBS/PC ternary blends using Taguchi experimental analysis

Abstract In this study, nine ternary blends of polypropylene (PP)/poly [styrene-b-(ethylene-co butylene)-b-styrene] tri-block copolymer (SEBS)/polycarbonate (PC) were produced at different processing conditions through twin screw extruder. Accordingly, die temperature, screw speed, and blending sequences were altered based on L9 Taguchi experimental design as indications of processing variables. Consequently, the impact strength of each produced sample is considered as the responding variable. Analyzing two important aspects, namely main and interactive effects by using Taguchi analysis, was the especial point of view in our contribution; as a result, not only was the PP/SEBS/PC ternary system studied for the first time, but the SEBS-g-MAH compatibilizer also showed sufficient effects on morphology development. It was observed that the impact strength of PP/SEBS/PC ternary blends is not affected by die temperature significantly, whereas screw speed and blending sequence have had effective impacts. Besides, the optimum processing condition, which is proportional to the highest value of impact strength, is recommended through the mentioned ternary blends. These results are also confirmed while applying image analysis on morphology micrographs.

Rheological behavior of polyester blend and mechanical properties of the polypropylene–polyester blend fibers

The article deals with method of preparation, rheological properties, phase structure, and morphology of binary blend of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and ternary blends of polypropylene (PP)/(PET/PBT). The ternary blend of PET/PBT (PES) containing 30 wt % of PP is used as a final polymer additive (FPA) for blending with PP and subsequent spinning. In addition commercial montane (polyester) wax Licowax E (LiE) was used as a compatibilizer for spinning process enhancement. The PP/PES blend fibers containing 8 wt % of polyester as dispersed phase were prepared in a two-step procedure: preparation of FPA using laboratory twin-screw extruder and spinning of the PP/PES blend fibers after blending PP and FPA, using a laboratory spinning equipment. DSC analysis was used for investigation of the phase structure of the PES components and selected blends. Finally, the mechanical properties of the blend fibers were analyzed. It has been found that viscosity of the PET/PBT blends is strongly influenced by the presence of the major component. In addition, the major component suppresses crystallinity of the minor component phase up to a concentration of 30 wt %. PBT as major component in dispersed PES phase increases viscosity of the PET/PBT blend melts and increases the tensile strength of the PP/PES blend fibers. The impact of the compatibilizer on the uniformity of phase dispersion of PP/PES blend fibers was demonstrated. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 4222–4227, 2006

Polypropylene/polyamide 6/polyethylene–octene elastomer blends. Part 2: volume dilatation during plastic deformation under uniaxial tension

Plastic deformation upon stretching was investigated in ternary blends of polypropylene, polyamide 6 and maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene–octene elastomer (PP/PA6/POE). A novel video-controlled tensile testing method was utilized, which allows recording simultaneously axial strain, axial stress and volume strain while axial strain-rate is regulated at a constant value even after necking has begun. Increasing the alloying content modifies drastically the original stress–strain properties of PP: yield softening is suppressed and strain hardening is increased. As for the volume strain, which is representative of the overall cavitation process, it is found to decrease with increasing alloying content (apart from a small increase for low alloying content). This unexpected result indicates that the finely dispersed cavities nucleated under tension at the POE interphase of PA6 particles and at isolated POE particles favor the profuse development of plastic shear bands in the PP matrix. As such, it can be considered as an experimental evidence of the synergistic effect of cavitation and shear banding in a structural polymer.

Thermoplastic Elastomer Based on PP/EPDM/ENR25 and PP/EPDM/NR Blends

A series of ternary blends of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM)/natural rubber (NR) and PP/EPDM/epoxidized natural rubber (ENR25) were prepared in a laboratory internal mixer at 180°C and a rotor speed of 50 rpm. The mechanical properties, oil resistance, and morphological studies of PP/EPDM/NR and PP/EPDM/ENR25 blends were investigated. Results indicated that PP/EPDM/ENR25 blends are slightly easier to process than PP/EPDM/NR blends and the torque values increased as the NR and ENR25 contents increased. The tensile strength and elongation at break decreased as NR and ENR25 content in the blends increased, whereas the tensile modulus shows an opposite trend. The PP/EPDM/NR blends show higher tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation at break than PP/EPDM/ENR25 blends in all blend compositions. However, PP/EPDM/ENR25 blends exhibited better oil resistance than PP/EPDM/NR blends. From morphological studies PP/EPDM/NR exhibit more homogeneous phases than PP/EPDM/ENR25 blends.

The interfacial properties and porous structures of polymer blends characterized by synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering

Microvoids are induced upon uniaxial drawing of films made from immiscible polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene (PS) binary blends and ternary blends of PP, PS, and a block copolymer SEEPS. The shape of the uniaxially oriented microvoids is rod- or slit-like with a high aspect ratio. Synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is used to characterize the dimensions of these microvoids. Their scattering image is an intense azimuthally narrow equatorial streak on a two-dimensional SAXS pattern. This streak is analyzed to obtain the diameter, length and misorientation of the microvoids. The microvoids length is identified as an effective measure of the interfacial adhesion and strength between phase domains. Drawn films of binary blends of PP/PS are found to have the longest microvoids. The initial addition of the block copolymer SEEPS as a compatibilizer enhances the interfacial adhesion and shortens the length of microvoids. Further addition of compatibilizer induces the formation of aggregates of a composite PS/SEEPS dispersed phase, and this leads to reduced interfacial adhesion and a longer microvoids. Interfacial properties are also dependent on the mixing protocol used to produce the blends. The transport property of the films is determined by porosity and the degree of interconnectivity. A convenient measure of the degree of interconnectivity is proposed. The degrees of interconnectivity of these films are in accordance with the interfacial adhesion and strength. Non-equatorial streaks are observed and attributed to the microvoids with a complex orientation and geometry, which are responsible for the interconnectivity among microvoids.

Effect of blend ratio on bulk properties and matrix–fibril morphology of polypropylene/nylon 6 polyblend fibers

Ternary blends of polypropylene (PP), nylon 6 (N6) and polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PP/N6/PP-g-MAH) as compatibilizer with up to 50wt% of N6 were investigated. PP-g-MAH content was varied from 2.5 to 10%. Blends of the two polymers PP/N6 (80/20) without the compatibilizer were also prepared using an internal batch mixer and studied. The ternary blends showed different rheological properties at low and high shear rates. The difference depended on the amount of N6 dispersed phase. Co-continuous morphology was observed for the blend containing 50% N6. This blend also exhibited higher viscosity at low shear rate and lower viscosity at high shear rates than the value calculated by the simple rule of mixture. At higher shear rates, viscosity was lower than that given by the rule of mixture for all blend ratios. An increase in viscosity was observed in the 80/20 PP/N6 blend after the concentration of the interfacial agent (PP-g-MAH) was increased. Polyblends containing up to 30% N6 could be successfully melt spun into fibers. DSC results showed that dispersed and matrix phases in the fiber maintained crystallinity comparable to or better than the corresponding values found in the neat fibers. The dispersed phase was found to contain fibrils. By using SEM and LSCM analyses we were able to show that the N6 droplets coalesced during melt spinning which led to the development of fibrillar morphology.

Effect of NR and EPDM on the rheology of HDPE/PP blends

We studied melt-rheological properties of ternary blends of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene with an elastomer (natural rubber or ethylene-propylene-diene), at several blending ratios and shear rates. Measurements made on a cone-plate rheometer are presented and discussed as a function of blend composition. The effect of the shear rate on the viscosity and flow curve is discussed in terms of the exponent of the power low for a non-Newtonian liquid. The addition of an elastomer to the polyolefins blends changes the shape of the viscosity-composition curve; this change is discussed in terms of the possible morphology of the blend.

Impact Strength and Morphology of PP/LLDPE/EPDM Blends: Effect of Elastomer Viscosity and Content

This work presents results obtained for ternary blends of polypropylene (PP), a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and two ethylene-propylene-norborene terpolymer (EPDM) of different viscosities. The effect of LLDPE added to the PP/elastomer blends is analyzed in terms of morphological features and impact properties. Press molded specimens were used throughout this work. The LLDPE dispersive effect is verified independently of the elastomer viscosity Ternary blends containing more than 50% EPDM in the disperse phase showed better impact strength than the corresponding binary PP/EPDM blend.

Viscosity effect in polyolefin ternary blends and composites

AbstractTernary blends of PP (80) /rubber (EPM, EPDM) (10) / PE (10) and PP (80) / rubber (10) / CaCO3 (10) composites were prepared in a twin‐screw extruder. With polyethylene (PE) viscosity comparable to, or higher than that of rubber, the dispersed phase formed a reticulate structure with reduced size. On the contrary, when the viscosity of PE was significantly lower than that of rubber, the dispersed phase formed almost homogeneous morphology. With reticulate morphology, PE crystallinity content, hardness, modulus, and elongation at break of the ternary blend increased. In polypropylene (PP) / rubber / CaCO3 composites, better dispersion of CaCO3 in the PP matrix was obtained when the viscosity of rubber was significantly higher than that of matrix. With better dispersion, hardness and tensile properties were improved, but the impact strength more or less decreased. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Studies on binary and ternary blends of polypropylene with ABS and LDPE. II. Impact and tensile properties

AbstractStudies on impact and tensile properties of binary blend of PP and ABS and ternary blend of PP, ABS, and LDPE are presented. Variation of impact strength and the fracture surface morphology with blend composition is examined and interpreted. Tensile behavior in the yield region is studied and the trends of variation of work of yield and impact strength are compared to ascertain the predominent mechanism of impact toughening in these binary and ternary blends. An analysis of yield–stress data in terms of theoretical models is presented to reveal the differences in these binary and ternary blends, attributable to the role of LDPE component in the ternary blend.

Studies on binary and ternary blends of polypropylene with ABS and LDPE. I. Melt rheological behavior

AbstractStudies are presented on melt rheological properties of binary blend of polypropylene (PP) and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer (ABS), and ternary blend of PP, ABS, and low‐den‐sity polyethylene (LDPE). Data obtained in capillary rheometer are presented to describe the effect of blending ratio, shear stress, and shear rate on flow properties, melt viscosity, and melt elasticity. At a blend composition corresponding to 10 wt % ABS content, both binary and ternary blends show maximum in melt viscosity accompanied by minimum in melt elasticity. Pseudoplasticity of the melt decreases with increasing ABS content. In ternary blends, LDPE facilitates the flow at low LDPE contents and obstructs the flow at high LDPE contents. Scanning electron microscopic studies are also presented to illustrate the state of dispersion and its variation with blend composition.

Studies on binary and ternary blends of polypropylene with SEBS, PS, and HDPE. II. Tensile and impact properties

Studies are reported on tensile and impact properties of several binary and ternary blends of polypropylene (PP), styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polystyrene (PS). The blend compositions of the binary blends PP/X were 10 wt % X and 90 wt % PP, while those of the ternary blends PP/X/Y were 10 wt % of X and 90 wt % of PP/Y, or 10 wt % Y and 90 wt % PP/X (PP/Y and PP/X were of identical composition 90:10); X, Y being SEBS, HDPE, or PS. The results are interpreted for the effect of each individual component by comparing the binary blends with the reference system PP, and the ternary blends with the respective binary blends as the reference systems. The ternary blend PP/SEBS/HDPE showed properties distinctly superior to those of PP/SEBS/PS or the binary blends PP/SEBS and PP/HDPE. Differences in the tensile yield behavior of the different samples and their correlation with impact strength suggested shear yielding as the possible mechanism of enhancement of impact strength. Scanning electron microscopic study of the impact fractured surfaces also supports the shear yielding mechanism of impact toughening of these blends.

Studies on binary and ternary blends of polypropylene with SEBS, PS, and HDPE. I. Melt rheological behavior

Studies are reported on melt rheological behavior of some binary and ternary blends of polypropylene (PP) with one or two of the following polymers: styrene–b-ethylene butylene–b-styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS), polystyrene (PS), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Blend composition of the binary blends PP/X or ternary blends PP/X/Y were so chosen that the former represent addition of 10 wt % X to PP while the latter represent 10 wt % addition of X or Y to the PP/Y or PP/X blend of constant composition 90:10 by weight, X/Y being SEBS, PS, or HDPE. Measurements were made on a capillary rheometer using both temperature elevation and constant temperature methods to study the behaviors prior to flow and in the flow region. Flow behavior, measured at a constant temperature (200°C) and varying shear stress (from 1.0 to 5.0 × 106 dyn/cm2) to evaluate melt viscosity and melt elasticity parameters, is discussed for its dependence on the nature of the blend. Extrudate distortion, studied as a function of shear stress to evaluate the critical shear stress for the onset of extrudate distortion, showed differences in the tendency for extrudate distortion or melt fracture of these different blends. Also discussed is the effect of melt viscosity and melt elasticity on extrudate distortion behavior at the critical condition, which showed a unique critical value of the ratio (melt elasticity parameter)1/2 (melt viscosity) for all these blends. Blend morphologies before and after the flow through the capillary are investigated through scanning electron microscopy, and their correlations with rheological parameters of the melt are discussed.

Morphology and properties of blends of polypropylene with ethylene‐propylene rubber

AbstractGreat attention has been paid to the toughening of isotactic polypropylene (PP) in recent years in order to make full use of this plastic. This paper presents the results of our study on the compatibility of PP with ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber (EPT), polybutadiene rubber (PB) or styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) through characterization of the blends' morphology, and on. the morphology and properties of binary blends of PP with EPT (EPT/PP) and ternary blends of PP, EPT, and polyethylene (PE) (EPT/PE/PP). Morphological structure of solution blends and the great improvement in low‐temperature impact strength and other properties of the mechanical blends have shown the difference among EPT, PB, and SBR in compatibility with PP, the effectiveness of using EPT as PP's toughening agent, and the effect of EPT on EPT/PP blend as both toughening agent and compatibilizer. Addition of EPT to EPT/PP made interesting changes in morphology but no effect on properties was observed.