The rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties for polypropylene and amorphous poly alpha olefin blends

Rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties of polypropylene homo polymer (PPH)/amorphous poly alpha olefin (APAO) blends as a function of molecular weight, comonomer type and content, and blend composition have been investigated. Homo APAO grade showed better compatibility than copolymerized ones in terms of rheological and thermal properties. The mechanical strength showed strong dependence on APAO content and type, and the impact strength and melt index rapidly increased for certain types of APAO at and above 30 wt%. On comparison with commercially used PPH/ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) blend system, it is supposed that PPH/APAO blend can be successfully used in thermoplastic polyolefin applications. Copyright (C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.