Physical characterization of blends of isotactic poly(butene-1) with ethylene-propylene copolymer

Melt-mixed blends of isotactic poly(butene-1) (PB) with an ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPM) containing 60 wt% PP were studied over the complete composition range. Phase-contrast polarizing microscopy and dynamic mechanical spectroscopy revealed that the blend is heterogeneous. DSC studies of quenched and annealed blends for both PB modifications indicate that total blend crystallinity decreases linearly with the EPM content. Pure PB crystallinity is enhanced to a small degree in the presence of EPM. Tensile behaviour of the blends was good up to moderate EPM levels. It was also demonstrated that blends containing EPM with increased PP content showed synergism in tensile behaviour not exhibited by blends with EPM of lower PP content. Appropriate mechanical models tested over the complete composition and temperature range suggest that the rubbery phase adheres strongly to the PB matrix. Overall, the experimental results support the contention that the system is mechanically compatible, possibly a result of component miscibility at elevated temperatures as predicted on thermodynamic grounds.