Effect of the Compatibilizer, on the Engineering Properties of TPV Based on HypalonVR and PP Prepared by Dynamic Vulcanization

Elastomeric Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (Hypalon((R))) and thermoplastic Polypropylene (PP) based thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) were prepared in presence of different doses of compatibilizer, maleic anhydride grafted PP (PP-g-MA) by employing dynamic vulcanization technique. The effect of incorporation in different proportions of compatibilizer on mechanical, spectral, morphological, thermal, and rheological properties of such TPVs was studied and the same were compared to that of virgin PP and amongst themselves. The mechanical analysis of the prepared TPVs exhibited significant improvements in stress at 25% modulus, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and hardness values. FTIR studies revealed that a chemical interaction had taken place between Hypalon((R)) and functionalized compatibilizer during the process of dynamic vulcanization which led to an enhancement of interfacial adhesion between them. The two-phase morphologies were clearly observed by scanning electron microscopic studies. The T-g values of Hypalon((R)) was modified in the TPVs as exhibited by differential scanning calorimetric studies. TGA studies indicated the increase in thermal stability of all TPVs with respect to the elastomeric Hypalon((R)). Rheological properties showed that the compatibilizer reduces the melt viscosity of TPVs and thus facilitates the processibility of such TPVs. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40312.