| Abstract: | To clarify the deformation mechanism in polyblends of polypropylene with ethylene–propylene rubber having different compositions, simultaneous measurements of the infrared dichroism with stress and strain under a constant rate of strain of 1.64%/min have been carried out. The orientation function of the crystallographic c axis of polypropylene in the blends has been obtained as a function of strain ranging from 0 to 20% and of polypropylene content ranging from 0.3 to 1.0. These results have been compared with the temperature dependences of the dynamic Young's modulus and of the loss modulus, as well as of stress–strain curves for the same blends. The modulus data analyzed by Kerner's equation reveal the occurrence of phase inversion at polypropylene contents higher than about 0.5, and this is supported by the infrared dichroism data. The strong effect of quenching on crystalline structure and mechanical properties of pure polypropylene has also been elucidated. |
