Effect of Curing System on Morphological, Rheological, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Vulcanizates Based on Epoxidized Natural Rubber and Polypropylene

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and polypropylene (PP) were prepared in an internal mixer at 180 degrees C. The effects of curing systems (i.e., sulfur and peroxide) on morphological, rheological, thermal and mechanical properties were studied. It is found that the sulfur cured TPVs show higher tensile strength, tear strength and elongation at break than those cured with the DCP systems. The rheological analysis indicates that TPVs cured with DCP system show lower apparent shear viscosity than those with sulfur system. SEM studies show that TPVs vulcanized with DCP system exhibit smaller and finely dispersed rubber domains, which provides it higher thermal stability than sulfur cured TPVs.