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.