Mechanical properties of polypropylene/crosslinked rubber blends

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Abstract
Mechanical properties of rubber‐modified polymers are not single‐valued functions of rubber/matrix type and rubber content, but also vary with processing conditions. The variations in mechanical properties with processing conditions arise mainly from changes in rubber‐phase dispersion. In our past work, by lightly crosslinking the rubbers to increase their melt tenacity and strength, we have succeeded in producing fine and consistent dispersions despite diverse processing conditions. In this study, mechanical properties of polypropylene/lightly crosslinked rubber blends are compared with those of polypropylene/uncrosslinked rubber blends. The results indicate that, like dispersion, mechanical properties of polypropylene/crosslinked rubber blends also appear to be consistent and independent of process variables. The influences on mechanical behavior of degree of crosslinking, rubber content, and rubber/matrix type are also discussed.