Abstract:
Novel thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on polypropylene (PP) and new
generation ethylene octene copolymer (EOC) have been prepared by dynamic
vulcanization process, which involves simultaneous melt mixing and crosslinking of a
rubber with a thermoplastic material. The effect of dynamic vulcanization and influence
of various types of peroxides were studied in details. Three structurally different
peroxides, namely dicumyl peroxide (DCP), tert-butyl cumyl peroxide (TBCP) and
di(tert-butylperoxyisopropyl)benzene (DTBPIB) were taken for investigation. Addition
of peroxide in PP/EOC blend involves two major competing reactions: crosslinking in
EOC and degradation of PP by β chain-scission. This is the main reason which limits the
applicability of peroxide cured TPVs.
