Effect of Ground Tire Rubber on Mechanical Properties of Low Density Polyethylene

This research explores the effect of ground tire rubber (GTR) on the mechanical properties of LDPE. This thermoplastic-elastomer blend sets the composition of ground tire rubber and low-density polyethylene (LDPE/GTR). The blend was prepared in different proportions and was processed in a compression molding machine. The optimum operating conditions of the blend set to be 220℃ temperature and pressure varied from 150-200 bars. Different parts per hundred rubber (phr) samples were obtained under these conditions, including 1 phr, 2 phr, 3 phr, 4 phr, and 5 phr. After that, the mechanical properties of the blend were examined concerning various compositions. Different testing methods were used to determine the mechanical properties of the thermoplastic-elastomer blend, which include tensile strength, flexural strength, and Izod impact. The results obtained from these tests show that tensile strength and modulus decreases by increasing the rubber content. However, impact strength and percentage elongation increase by increasing the rubber content. This enhancement in impact and percentage elongation may be suitable for the applications in gymnasium mat and automobile industry.

A review on graft compatibilizer for thermoplastic elastomer blend

A biodegradable thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) blend is developed by blending poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and natural rubber (NR) or epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and it is a sustainable substitution in recent years for synthetic polymers. PLA is high in mechanical strength and compostable, but it is highly stiff and brittle. The incorporation of NR or ENR to PLA increases the impact strength and toughness of PLA. However, the disparity in polarity between PLA and elastomer phase like NR and ENR results in TPE blend being incompatible. Hence, compatibilization is essential to improve its polarity and develop interactions. Compatibilizer that composed of two different polymer is known is graft compatibilizer with the aid of grafting agent. The graft compatibilizers are divided into two categories. The first type is made up of one polymer and grafting agent and, the other one is composed of two polymer groups and grafting agent. These two types of graft compatibilizer can be prepared via two different method such as direct melt blending and solution. Apart from this, the TPE blend is produced via the melt blending technique with mixing machines such as internal mixer and extruder. This article has reviewed the preparation of the graft compatibilizer and blending technique of TPE. Based on the findings, the graft compatibilizers has a significant role in improving miscibility and compatibility across blend composed of different phase.

SYNERGISTIC MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL NR–NBR ELASTOMER BLEND WITH ELECTROLYTIC IRON PARTICLES

ABSTRACT This article presents the development of a new kind of magnetorheological elastomer blend made with natural rubber, acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NR-NBR), and electrolytic iron particles through solution mixing. The compressive stress and elastic modulus of the composites in the isotropic and anisotropic states of the filler were studied. A unique study of the filler distribution and filler orientation mechanism was proposed from the compressive properties and scanning electron microscopy. A strong improvement in the elastic modulus of the NR–NBR blend from isotropic to anisotropic change was achieved as compared with NR and NBR in single-rubber composites. The filler content in the anisotropic magnetorheological elastomers was optimized by measuring the field-dependent elastic modulus in the presence of an externally applied magnetic field. The blend rubber composites showed better sensitivity in the presence of a magnetic field than the NR and NBR composites did. The improvement might be due to the better filler orientation and strong adhesion of filler particles by the NR phase in the blend matrix. The new elastomer blends may have applications in active dampers, vibrational absorption, and automotive bushings.

Compatibilization of natural rubber–polypropylene thermoplastic elastomer blend

The effects of the addition of epoxidized natural rubber/maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene blend as a compatibilizing agent (CA) on the properties of natural rubber (NR)/polypropylene (PP) thermoplastic elastomer blend were studied. The blends were prepared in the molten state at 180°C using a Brabender Plasticorder at a rotor speed of 60 r min−1. Evidence of compatibilization was obtained from the Brabender plastograms and from the mechanical properties results as well as the morphological analysis. It was found that the addition of the CA at different contents resulted in an increase of the tensile strength and Young’s modulus and a decrease of the elongation at break. It was also found that the melting temperature remained unchanged, the % crystallinity decreased, but the thermal stability was not affected. The morphology revealed a more homogeneous distribution of the dispersed PP phase for the CA-containing systems compared to the control NR/PP blend. These effects were attributed to the interactions that developed with the blend constituents through the functional groups of the CA.