Abstract. The dynamic mechanical properties such as storage modulus, loss modulus and damping properties of blends of nylon copolymer (PA6,66) with ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) rubber was investigated with special reference to the effect of blend ratio and compatibilisation over a temperature range -100°C to 150°C at different frequencies. The effect of change in the composition of the polymer blends on tanδ was studied to understand the extent of polymer miscibility and damping characteristics. The loss tangent curve of the blends exhibited two transition peaks, corresponding to the glass transition temperature (Tg) of individual components indicating incompatibility of the blend systems. The morphology of the blends has been examined by using scanning electron microscopy. The Arrhenius relationship was used to calculate the activation energy for the glass transition of the blends. Finally, attempts have been made to compare the experimental data with theoretical models.

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In situ reactive compatibilization was first time applied to a low melting nylon (nylon 6 and 66 copolymer) and EPDM blend system. The effects of in situ compatibilization and concentration of compatibilizer on the morphology and mechanical properties of nylon/EPDM blends have been investigated. The influence of EPM-g-MA on the phase morphology was examined by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after preferential extraction of the minor phase. The SEM micrographs were quantitatively analyzed for domain size measurements. The compatibilizer concentrations used were 0, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 wt%. The graft copolymer (nylon-g-EPM) formed at the interface showed relatively high emulsifying activity. A maximum phase size reduction was observed when 2.5 wt% of compatibilizer was added to the blend system. This was followed by a leveling-off at higher loadings indicating interfacial saturation. The conformation of the compatibilizer at the interface was deduced based on the area occupied by the compatibilizer at the blend interface. The experimental compatibilization results were compared with theoretical predictions of Noolandi and Hong. It was concluded that the molecular state of compatibilizer at interface changes with concentration. The in situ compatibilized blends showed considerable improvement in mechanical properties. Measurement of tensile properties shows increased elongation as well as enhanced modulus and strength up on compatibilization. At higher concentrations of compatibilizer, a leveling-off of the tensile properties was observed. A good correlation has been observed between the mechanical properties and morphological parameters.

In this work, morphological, electrical, and dielectric performance of nylon copolymer (PA6, 66)/ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) blends were systematically studied with reference to blend ratio and compatibilisation. As the concentration of PA6, 66 and the percentage of compatibiliser in the blend increases the resistivity values decreases. The existence of two phases, PA6, 66 and EPDM with different conductivity and interfacial polarization are responsible for the increase in the dielectric properties of the blends. Compatibilisation of the blends improved the dielectric constant of the blend system. Addition of 2.5% of compatibiliser gave the highest value of dielectric constant. At a high concentration of EPM‐g‐MA, the polarity of the compatibilised blends was found to be increased, which resulted in the substantial increase in the value of loss and dissipation factor. The dielectric values of the blends were correlated with blend phase morphology. Finally the experimental data was compared with various theoretical predications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2195–2201, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers