Structure-Property Relationships for Reactively Compatibilized Thermoplastic Elastomers from Recycled Polyolefins and Rubbers
Olga P. Grigoryeva, Alexander M. Fainleib, ALexander L. Tolstov and Olga M. Starostenko
Structure-property relationships for different recycled polyolefins/rubbers reactively compatibilized or plasticized thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) produced by using dynamic vulcanization technology have been studied. The wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and mechanical testing have been used for analysis of samples prepared. For one test series the TPEs have been produced on the base on recycled low- or high-density polyethylenes (LDPER, HDPER) and two fresh rubbers: butadiene rubber (BR) and butadienemethylstyrene rubber (SBR) as well as compatibilized with several reactive couples (reactive polyethylene /reactive rubber). In the other test series the LDPER/BR and HDPER/SBR TPEs containing reclaimed (partially devulcanized) ground tyre rubber (GTRR) were compatibilized by the same systems and their properties and phase structure have been investigated. In third test series the LDPER(HDPER)/EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer) rubber TPEs containing GTR or GTR plasticized with bitumen were produced and studied. For compatibilized TPEs the increasing components compatibility due to the growth of interfacial adhesion and formation of an essential interface layer consisted of all components have been observed. The highest improvement of tensile properties has been observed for LDPER(HDPER)/EPDM/(GTR/bitumen) TPEs in comparison to other series or bitumen-free TPEs. The values of TS and EB increase respectively by 23–67% and 93–95% for LDPER/EPDM/(GTR/bitumen) TPEs, and 74–102% and 570–736% for HDPER/EPDM/(GTR/bitumen) TPEs.