Dynamically Vulcanized Polypropylene/Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Blends: The Effect of a Peroxide/Bismaleimide Curing System and Composition

Polypropylene (PP)/styrene-butadiene rubber blends were studied with special attention given to the effects of the blend ratio and dynamic vulcanization. Dicumyl peroxide (DCP) was used as the curing agent in combination with N,N'-m-phenylene bismaleimide (BMI) as the coagent for the curing process. Outstanding mechanical performance, especially with regard to the elongation at break, and better resistance to compression set were achieved with the dynamic vulcanization; this indicated that the DCP/BMI system also acted as a compatibilizing agent. This phenomenon was also confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the insoluble material, the crystallinity degree of the PP phase (as investigated by X-ray diffractometry), and scanning electron microscopy. The dynamic mechanical properties of the nonvulcanized and vulcanized blends were also investigated. The aging resistance of the blends was also evaluated. 0 (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120: 981 990, 2011