Thermoplastic elastomers derived from scrap rubber powder/LLDPE blend with LLDPE-graft-(epoxidized natural rubber) dual compatibilizer

Attempts were made to prepare thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) from scrap rubber powder (SRP) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLPDE) as thermoplastic polymer matrix. The solid-phase grafted copolymer of LLDPE (LLDPE-g-VM) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) were used as dual compatibilizers to improve the interfacial adhesion between SRP and LLDPE. The compatibilized SRP/LLDPE blends had obviously improved the interfacial properties between SRP particles and LLDPE. Using this method thermoplastic elastomer was prepared successfully. The mechanical properties especially elongation at break was improved significantly SEM and TEM studies showed that the ENR/LLDPE-g-VM dual compatibilizer improved the distribution state of SRP particles in LLDPE and the adhesion between SRP and LLDPE. DSC results showed a distinct glass transition at 74degreesC of the interfacial region. The improvement in mechanical properties was attributed to the enhanced interfacial properties of the blend.