Toughening of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)/nylon 6 alloys with functionalized elastomers via reactive compatibilization: morphology, mechanical properties, and rheology

Blends of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)/nylon 6 alloys based on ethylene-propylene-diene elastomer (EPDM) grafted with maleic anhydride (MA) (EPDM-g-MA), EPDM grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (EPDM-g-GMA), and styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer grafted with MA (SEBS-g-MA) were prepared via melt extruction, and morphology, mechanical properties, and rheology were studied. The compatibilizing effects of functionalized elastomers on the PPO/nylon 6 alloys were proved by DSC analysis and confirmed by the significant improvement in the notched Izod impact strength. Toughening was resulted from the smaller particle size and finer dispersion of EPDM in the PPO/nylon 6 matrix as well as a novel network structure of SEBS-g-MA domain in matrix. The notched Izod impact strength of the blends exhibited an optimum value when the extent of MA or GMA graft ratio of EPDM varied, which was an order of magnitude higher than the non-toughened alloys. The morphology revealed that the size of EPDM particles decreased with an increase in graft ratio of MA or GMA onto EPDM. Rheology investigation indicated that the MA or GMA moieties on EPDM reacted with the amine groups of nylon 6, which increased the molecular weight and the degree of branching, and thus resulted in an increase in the viscosity of the blends. This proved the reactive compatibilization between functionalized EPDM and PPO/nylon 6 matrix.     

Uncross‐linked polypropylene (PP)/ethylene‐propylene‐diene (EPDM)/multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and dynamically vulcanized PP/EPDM/MWCNT nanocomposites

In this study, relatively large amounts of polypropylene (PP), ethylene‐propylene‐diene (EPDM), and multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) were melt‐mixed with and without DCP. Dynamically vulcanized PP/EPDM (TPV)/MWCNT nanocomposites were prepared by two methods: the MWCNTs were added either before or after the dynamic vulcanization of the blends. The effects of composition, rotor speed, and dynamic vulcanization on their surface resistivity were investigated. The surface resistivity of uncross‐linked PP/EPDM/MWCNT nanocomposites increases with increasing the content of EPDM. At PP/EPDM (70/30 wt%) nanocomposite with 1.5 phr MWCNT, slightly lower surface resistivity is obtained by increasing the rotor speed during mixing. However, for PP/EPDM (50/50 wt%) and PP/EPDM (30/70 wt%) nanocomposites, surface resistivity decreases with increasing the rotor speed from 30 to 60 rpm. But further increase in rotor speed (90 rpm) leads to an increase of surface resistivity. When the MWCNTs were added after the dynamic vulcanization of the blends, the surface resistivity of TPV70/MWCNTnanocomposite is lower than that of uncross‐linked PP/EPDM/MWCNT nanocomposite. However, when the MWCNTs were added before the dynamic vulcanization of the blends, the surface resistivity of TPV70/MWCNT nanocomposite is >10¹² Ω/square. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhanced interfacial interaction by grafting carboxylated‐macromolecular chains on nanodiamond surfaces for epoxy‐based thermosets

A novel core‐shell‐structured carboxylated‐styrene butadiene rubber (XSBR)‐functionalized nanodiamond (ND‐XSBR) was synthesized and characterized. Epoxy (EP) nanocomposites toughened by pristine ND and ND‐XSBR were investigated and compared. The ND‐XSBR‐reinforced nanocomposite exhibited mechanical properties superior to those of the one filled by pristine ND. At a low‐filler loading, the ND‐XSBR exhibited an impressive toughening effect. The maximum flexural strength was shown when the filler loading was as low as 0.1 wt % for the EP/ND‐XSBR nanocomposite. Furthermore, enhanced fracture toughness and fracture energy were shown by surface functionalization, representing enhanced compatibility between the ND‐XSBR and EP matrix. The glass transition temperature (T_g) and storage modulus of the nanocomposites were studied, and the EP/ND‐XSBR0.1 nanocomposite exhibited the highest T_g owing to the stronger interfacial interaction. The EP/ND‐XSBR0.2 exhibited higher storage modulus and T_g than the EP/ND0.2, because the higher interfacial interaction can restrict the molecular mobility of the EP by the functionalized ND‐XSBR. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55, 1890–1898     

Investigating properties of poly (ether‐amide)/MWCNT nanocomposite films containing 2,7‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)naphthalene and isophthalic segments

Three nanocomposite films based on aramid (poly (ether‐amide), PEA) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were prepared via solution casting method using 2,7‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)naphthalene (4) and isophthalic acid (5) containing various amounts of MWCNT (2, 3, 5 wt.%). To comprehensively analyze the properties of the cast films as well as the monomers, different techniques were employed, namely FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, X‐ray diffraction, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Also, thermal and tensile properties of PEA (6) and nanocomposite films were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis and mechanical analysis, respectively. The morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties of nanocomposite films approved that MWCNT had well dispersion in the PEA matrix and showed a synergistic effect on improving all of the investigated properties. Based on the thermogravimetric analysis results, employing MWCNT caused to increase in the char yields from 61 (in the neat PEA) to 66 (in the PEA /MWCNT nanocomposite 5 wt.%) under the nitrogen atmosphere. In comparison to the pristine PEA (426°C), the temperature at 10 losses mass % (T₁₀) was increased from 530°C to 576°C, with 2 to 5 wt.% of MWCNT. Mechanical analysis revealed that the tensile strength and initial modulus were improved by incorporating MWCNT into PEA (81.70–93.40 MPa and 2.10–2.22 GPa, respectively). Electrical conductivity of the PEA/MWCNT nanocomposites was displayed maximum value in the 5 wt.%, showing satisfactory value in many application areas. The X‐ray diffraction technique was employed to study the crystalline structure of the prepared nanocomposite films as well as PEA. In addition, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study demonstrated that the prepared nanocomposites had significant impedance improvement in the presence of MWCNTs.     

Synthesis of a random copolymer and its compatibility for thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer/poly(ether ether ketone) blends

A random copolymer (RCP) containing poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) segments was synthesized. Its chemical structure and liquid crystalline properties were characterized by FT‐IR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polar light microscopy (PLM) respectively. A single glass transition temperature (T_g) at 134.0°C, a melting temperature (T_m) at 282.0°C and a temperature of ignition (T_i) at 331.3°C can be observed. Blends of PEEK and TLCP with and without RCP as compatibilizer were prepared by extrusion and the effect of RCP on the thermal properties, dynamic mechanical properties, morphology and static tensile mechanical properties of blends was investigated by means of DSC, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), etc. Dynamic mechanical measurements indicated that there appeared to be only a single tan δ peak resulting from the glass transition of the PEEK‐rich phase and the T_g value shifted towards higher temperature due to the presence of compatibilizer, as suggested partial compatibility. Morphological investigations showed that the addition of RCP to binary blends reduced the dispersed phase size and improved the interfacial adhesion between the two phases. The ternary compatibilized blends showed enhanced tensile modulus compared to their binary blends without RCP. The strain at break decreased for the ternary blends due to embrittlement of the matrix by the incorporation of some RCP to the matrix phase. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with triethylenetetramine as fillers to enhance epoxy dimensional thermal stability

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have been used as fillers to improve thermal properties such as glass transition temperature (T _g) of epoxy materials. In this work, nanocomposites based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A resin and triethylenetetramine (TETA) were prepared by a three-roll mill process with TETA-functionalized (MWCNT–COTETA) and neat MWCNT. Thermogravimetric analysis of the nanofillers showed that in the case of MWCNT–COTETA, there is a 15 % mass loss that can be attributed to –COTETA and residual oxygen-containing functional groups. The influence of chemical modification on the behavior of the glass T _g was evaluated by dynamic scanning calorimetry. The MWCNT–COTETA allowed a ~20 °C reproducible increase of T _g in concentrations in the range of 0.5–1.0 mass%. Furthermore, images obtained by scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the morphology of the polymer matrix and its interfaces. The quality of the dispersion and interaction of the nanotubes in the epoxy matrix was assessed from the images. Both the neat epoxy and the nanocomposite with MWCNT showed low thermal shrinkage upon curing.     

Comparative study on the properties of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) ‐based nanocomposites containing multi‐walled carbon (MWCNT) and tungsten disulfide (INT‐WS2) nanotubes

Multi‐walled carbon (MWCNT) and tungsten disulfide (INT‐WS₂) nanotubes are materials with excellent mechanical properties, high electrical and thermal conductivity. These special properties make them excellent candidates for high strength and electrically conductive polymer nanocomposite applications. In this work, the possibility of the improvement of mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) by the introduction of MWCNT and INT‐WS₂ nanotubes was investigated. The PTT nanocomposites with low loading of nanotubes were prepared by in situ polymerization method. Analysis of the nanocomposites' morphology carried out by SEM and TEM has confirmed that well‐dispersed nanotubes in the PTT matrix were obtained at low loading (<0.5 wt%). Thermal and thermo‐oxidative stability of nanocomposites was not affected by the presence of nanotubes in PTT matrix. Loading with INT‐WS₂ up to 0.5 wt% was insufficient to ensure electrical conductivity of PTT nanocomposite films. In the case of nanocomposites filled with MWCNT, it was found that nanotube incorporation leads to increase of electrical conductivity of PTT films by 10 orders of magnitude, approaching a value of 10^?3 S/cm at loading of 0.3 wt%. Tensile properties of amorphous and semicrystalline (annealed samples) nanocomposites were affected by the presence of nanotubes. Moreover, the increase in the brittleness of semicrystalline nanocomposites with the increase in MWCNT loading was observed, while the nanocomposites filled with INT‐WS₂ were less brittle than neat PTT. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Core–shell functionalized MWCNT/poly(m‐aminophenol) nanocomposite with large dielectric permittivity and low dielectric loss

Core–shell carboxyl‐functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (c‐MWCNT)/poly(m‐aminophenol) (PmAP) nanocomposite were prepared through in‐situ polymerization of m‐aminophenol (m‐AP) in the presence of MWCNTs, and explicated as a dielectric material for electronic applications. The formation of thin PmAP layer on individual c‐MWCNT with excellent molecular level interactions at interfaces was confirmed by morphological and spectroscopic analyses. Here we conducted a comparative study of the dielectric performances of PmAP based nanocomposite films with pristine MWCNTs and c‐MWCNTs as fillers. Compared to PmAP/MWCNT nanocomposites, the PmAP/c‐MWCNT nanocomposites exhibited higher dielectric permittivity and lower dielectric loss. The well dispersed c‐MWCNTs in PmAP/c‐MWCNT nanocomposite produce huge interfacial area together with numerous active polarized centers (crystallographic defects), which in turn intensified the Maxwell‐Wagner‐Sillars (MWS) effect based on excellent molecular level interactions and thus, produce large dielectric permittivity (8810 at 1 kHz). The percolation threshold of PmAP/c‐MWCNT nanocomposites is found lower than that of the PmAP/MWCNT nanocomposites, which could be attributed to homogeneous distribution of c‐MWCNTs and strong c‐MWCNT//PmAP interfacial interactions in the nanocomposites. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermogravimetric and wide angle X-ray diffraction analysis of thermoplastic elastomers from nylon copolymer and EPDM rubber

Nylon copolymer (PA6, 66) and ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) blends with and without compatibilizer were prepared by melt mixing using Brabender Plasticorder. The thermal stability of nylon copolymer (PA6, 66)/ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) blends was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The morphology of the blends was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In this work, the effects of blend ratio and compatibilisation on thermal stability and crystallinity were investigated. The incorporation of EPDM rubber was found to improve the thermal stability of nylon copolymer. The kinetic parameters of the degradation process were also studied. A good correlation was observed between the thermal properties and phase morphology of the blends. By applying Coats and Redfern method, the activation energies of various blends were derived from the Thermogravimetric curves. The compatibilization of the blends using EPM-g-MA has increased the degradation temperature and decreased the weight loss. EPM-g-MA is an effective compatibilizer as it increases the decomposition temperature and thermal stability of the blends. Crystallinity of various systems has been studied using wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). The addition of EPDM decreases the crystallinity of the blend systems.     

A polymer network based on thermoplastic polyurethane and ethylene-propylene-diene elastomer via melt blending: morphology, mechanical properties, and rheology

Blends of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and ethylene-propylene-diene elastomer (EPDM) were prepared via a melt blending, and morphology, mechanical properties, and rheology were studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs demonstrated that a network of EPDM domain was formed in TPU matrix, and became finer and more perfect with addition of 8 wt% EPDM into TPU. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) investigation indicated that EPDM was thermodynamically miscible with the soft segments of TPU and incompatible with the hard segments. The formation of the network was resulted from the competition of compatible and incompatible segments of TPU with EPDM. The tensile strength and elongation at break achieved a significant improvement with addition of EPDM, and obtained the optimum values of 39.21 MPa and 2659%, respectively, when EPDM content was 8 wt%. PEO-g-MA as a compatibilizer was employed to improve the compatibilization between EPDM and the hard segments of EPDM, and consequently, the network became finer and more perfect. The evaluation of rheological properties revealed that the introduction of EPDM into TPU resulted in a reduction of the viscosity at high shear rate and a decrease of the flow activation energy; thus the processability of the blends was improved.     

Toughening of ethylene-propylene random copolymer/clay nanocomposites: Comparison of different compatibilizers

Ethylene/propylene-random-copolymer(PPR)/clay nanocomposites were prepared by two-stage melt blending. Four types of compatibilizers,including an ethylene-octene copolymer grafted maleic anhydride(POE-g-MA) and three maleic-anhydride-grafted polypropylenes(PP-g-MA) with different melt flow indexes(MFI),were used to improve the dispersion of organic clay in matrix.On the other hand,the effects of organic montmorillonite(OMMT) content on the nanocomposite structure in terms of clay dispersion in PPR matrix,thermal behavior and tensile properties were also studied. The X-ray diffraction(XRD) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) results show that the organic clay layers are mainly intercalated and partially exfoliated in the nanocomposites.Moreover,a PP-g-MA compatibilizer(compatibilizer B) having high MFI can greatly increase the interlayer spacing of the clay as compared with other compatibilizers.With the introduction of compatibilizer D(POE-g-MA),most of the clays are dispersed into the POE phase,and the shape of the dispersed OMMT appears elliptic,which differs from the strip of PP-g-MA.Compared with virgin PPR,the Young’s modulus of the nanocomposite evidently increases when a compatibilizer C(PP-g-MA) with medium MFI is used.For the nanocomposites with compatibilizer B and C,their crystallinities(X_c) increase as compared with that of the virgin PPR. Furthermore,the increase of OMMT loadings presents little effect on the melt temperature(T_m) of the PPR/OMMT nanocomposites,and slight effect on their crystallization temperature(T_c).Only compatibilizer B can lead to a marked increases in crystallinity and T_c of the nanocomposite when the OMMT content is 2 wt%.     

Reactive compatibilization of nylon copolymer/EPDM blends: experimental aspects and their comparison with theory

In situ reactive compatibilization was first time applied to a low melting nylon (nylon 6 and 66 copolymer) and EPDM blend system. The effects of in situ compatibilization and concentration of compatibilizer on the morphology and mechanical properties of nylon/EPDM blends have been investigated. The influence of EPM‐g‐MA on the phase morphology was examined by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after preferential extraction of the minor phase. The SEM micrographs were quantitatively analyzed for domain size measurements. The compatibilizer concentrations used were 0, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 wt%. The graft copolymer (nylon‐g‐EPM) formed at the interface showed relatively high emulsifying activity. A maximum phase size reduction was observed when 2.5 wt% of compatibilizer was added to the blend system. This was followed by a leveling‐off at higher loadings indicating interfacial saturation. The conformation of the compatibilizer at the interface was deduced based on the area occupied by the compatibilizer at the blend interface. The experimental compatibilization results were compared with theoretical predictions of Noolandi and Hong. It was concluded that the molecular state of compatibilizer at interface changes with concentration. The in situ compatibilized blends showed considerable improvement in mechanical properties. Measurement of tensile properties shows increased elongation as well as enhanced modulus and strength up on compatibilization. At higher concentrations of compatibilizer, a leveling‐off of the tensile properties was observed. A good correlation has been observed between the mechanical properties and morphological parameters. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact‐modified polypropylene/vermiculite nanocomposites

Impact‐modified polypropylene (PP)/vermiculite (VMT) nanocomposites toughened with maleated styrene–ethylene butylene–styrene (SEBS‐g‐MA) were compounded in a twin‐screw extruder and injection‐molded. VMT was treated with maleic anhydride, which acted both as a compatibilizer for the polymeric matrices and as a swelling agent for VMT in the nanocomposites. The effects of the impact modifier on the morphology and the impact, static, and dynamic mechanical properties of the PP/VMT nanocomposites were investigated. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that an exfoliated VMT silicate layer structure was formed in ternary (PP–SEBS‐g‐MA)/VMT nanocomposites. Tensile tests showed that the styrene–ethylene butylene–styrene additions improved the tensile ductility of the (PP–SEBS‐g‐MA)/VMT ternary nanocomposites at the expense of their tensile stiffness and strength. Moreover, Izod impact measurements indicated that the SEBS‐g‐MA addition led to a significant improvement in the impact strength of the nanocomposites. The SEBS‐g‐MA elastomer was found to be very effective at converting brittle PP/VMT organoclay composites into tough nanocomposites. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2332–2341, 2003     

Graft formation and chain scission in blends of polyamide-6 and -6.6 with maleic anhydride containing polymers

The in situ formation of a compatibilizer, consisting of a copolymer of PA grafted onto a maleic anhydride (MA) containing polymer, is essential for the morphology and properties of the corresponding PA blends. In this study four blends, containing PA-6 or PA-6.6 and EPDM-g-MA or poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (SMA; 28 wt % MA), were prepared and characterized. Chemical analyses showed that the amount of PA graft is independent of the blend composition. Going from EPDM-g-MA to SMA the MA content of the original MA-containing polymer increases, which in the corresponding blends results in an increase in the number of PA grafts and a decrease in the length of the PA grafts. In the SMA blends the number averaged molecular weight of the grafted PA is only about 200 g/mol. It is postulated that the water molecule, released upon imide formation at the PA/(MA-containing polymer) interface, hydrolyses a PA amide group, resulting in a new amine end group, which in its turn reacts with the MA-containing polymer, etc. Differential scanning calorimetry shows that the degree of crystallinity of the PA phase is decreased only when the size of the PA phase between the MA-containing polymer domains approaches the PA crystalline lamellar thickness. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 179–188, 1998     

三元乙丙橡胶/蒙脱土纳米复合材料制备中硫化体系的比较

采用了熔融插层和两种硫化体系硫磺 促进剂和过氧化物体系制备了三元乙丙橡胶 蒙脱土纳米复合材料 ,并将这两种体系形成的纳米复合材料进行了形态、力学性能和光学性能的比较 ,同时采用Flory Rehner方程对它们的硫化行为进行了评价 .X射线衍射 (XRD)、透射电镜 (TEM)、力学性能和光学性能的测试结果表明 ,由硫磺硫化体系制备的纳米复合材料为不透明和剥离型 .其原有的d0 0 1 衍射峰消失 ,有序层被剥离成 10 0～ 2 0 0nm的片层均匀分散在EPDM基体中 ,其力学性能有了极大的提高 ;而过氧化物体系制备的纳米复合材料为半透明和插层型 .对两种体系的硫化行为的评价结果表明 ,随着有机蒙脱土加入量的增加 ,硫磺 促进剂硫化体系的t90 延长 ,交联密度减小 ,最大 最小转矩也变小 ;而过氧化物硫化体系的相应值却变化不大     

Effects of organoclay modifiers on the flammability, thermal and mechanical properties of polycarbonate nanocomposites filled with a phosphate and organoclays

Polycarbonate was melt blended with solid bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate), and a series of organoclays. Effects of the organoclay modifiers on the flammability, thermal and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were studied by limiting oxygen index, UL-94 burning test, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, tensile test and dynamic mechanical analysis. Although all the nanocomposites exhibit an intercalated-exfoliated morphology, they vary in the magnitude of intercalation revealed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Flammability of the nanocomposites is strongly related to the thermal stability rather than the morphology. Glass transition temperature (T_g) and mechanical properties are controlled by both the morphology and the affinity of the organoclays with the matrix. The modifier containing hydroxyl moiety has stronger interactions with the matrix but it can promote its degradation, thus the corresponding nanocomposite exhibits a better intercalated morphology, higher T_g, superior strength and modulus however a worse thermal stability and flame retardancy. An additional silane within the organoclays would make the organoclays more compatible with the matrix but be a steric obstacle to the intercalation of the matrix chains; however, flame retardancy of the corresponding nanocomposite is enhanced due to the flame retardant nature of the silane. Similarly, the modifier bearing two long alkyl tails shows stronger affinity with the matrix than the one bearing a single tail, but it would hinder the intercalation due to the steric effect. These establishments between organoclay modifiers and the properties of nanocomposites might be guidance for developing materials with practical applications.     

A comparative study on the AC/DC conductivity,dielectric and optical properties of polystyrene/graphene nanoplatelets (PS/GNP) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (PS/MWCNT) nanocomposites

Polystyrene/graphene nanoplatelets (PS/GNP) and polystyrene/multi-walled carbon nanotube (PS/MWCNT) nanocomposites were prepared through solution mixing processing. The effect of carbon filler (CF) (GNP or MWCNT) doping on the DC/AC electrical conductivity, dielectric characteristics and optical parameters (absorption coefficient, α and band gap energy, E_g) of nanocomposites were investigated and compared for similar doping concentrations. The observed behavior of the DC surface conductivity for PS/CF nanocomposites was explained according to the classical percolation theory, where the percolation thresholds (ϕ_c) for PS/GNP and PS/MWCNT nanocomposites were determined as 12.0 vol% and 3.81 vol% and the critical exponents (t) were calculated as 2.19 and 2.13, respectively. These results indicate that CFs create three dimensional CF network in PS matrix. The dielectric relaxation properties and the AC conductivity studied by means of Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS) measurements, showed that the presence of carbon fillers significantly enhanced the capacitive/charge storage capabilities of the nanocomposites. The optical band gap energies (E_g) of PS/GNP and PS/MWCNT nanocomposites were obtained by using Tauc method. From applicative point of view, with their enhanced dielectric and AC conductivity properties of the PS/GNP and PS/MWCNT nanocomposites have the potential to be used in energy storage and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications.     

Dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of physically compatibilized natural rubber/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends by the addition of natural rubber‐graft‐ poly(methyl methacrylate)

The dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of natural rubber/poly (methyl methacrylate) blends (NR/PMMA) with and without the addition of graft copolymer (NR‐g‐PMMA) have been investigated. Dynamic mechanical spectroscopy is used to examine the effect of compatibilizer loading on storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″) and loss tangent (tan δ) at different temperatures and at different frequencies. The morphology of the blends indicates that the size of the dispersed phase decreased by the addition of a few percent of the graft copolymer followed by a leveling off at higher concentrations. This is an indication of interfacial saturation. Attempts have been made to correlate morphology with dynamic mechanical properties. Various models have been used to fit the experimental viscoelastic results. Differential scanning calorimetry has been used to analyze the glass‐transition temperatures of the blends. The thermal stability of the blends has been analyzed by thermogravimetry. Compatibilized blends are found to be more thermally stable than uncompatibilized blends. Finally the miscibility and mechanical properties of the blends annealed above T_g are evaluated. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 525–536, 2000     

Dynamically vulcanized ethylene propylene diene terpolymer/nylon thermoplastic elastomers

A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) of ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) and nylon with excellent mechanical properties was prepared by dynamic vulcanization. The effects of the curing systems, compatibilizer, nylon content and reprocessing on the mechanical properties of EPDM/nylon TPEs were investigated in detail. Experimental results indicate that maleic anhydride (MAH) grafted EPR has a better performance in compatibilizing the EPDM/nylon blends compared with other compatibilizers containing acid group. Tensile strength and elongation at break go through a maximum value at a compatibilizer resin content (on total rubber dosage) of 20%. EPDM/nylon TPE using sulfur as curative has higher tensile strength and elongation than that of TPE using phenolic resin or peroxide as curatives. Tensile strength and elongation at break increase with increasing nylon content. Scanning electron microscopy results show that rubber particles distributed at an average size of 1 μm in dynamic vulcanized EPDM/MAH-g-EPR/nylon TPE.     

Selective distribution,reinforcement, and toughening roles of MWCNTs in immiscible polypropylene/ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate blends

Polypropylene/ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate (PP/EVA) nanocomposites with functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (FMWCNTs) have been prepared. The dissolution experiment, transmission electronic microscope, and scanning electronic microscope characterizations prove that, in the nanocomposites with sea–island morphology, although some FMWCNTs are observed in both PP and EVA phases, most of FMWCNTs distribute at the interface; however, in the nanocomposites with cocontinuous morphology, FMWCNTs mainly distribute in EVA phase. Further results based on (differential scanning calorimetry) measurements show that the different dispersion states of FMWCNTs, which are resulted by the different melt blending sequences, result in the different crystallization behaviors of PP matrix. The mechanical measurements show that FMWCNTs exhibit apparent reinforcement and toughening effects for immiscible PP/EVA blends, and such effects are greatly dependent upon the blending sequences. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1882–1892, 2010