Composites have been prepared from devulcanized waste ethylene propylene diene monomer (W‐EPDM) rubber by blending with low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) in a twin‐screw extruder. W‐EPDM was treated separately by optimized microwave and ultrasonic radiation. Effect of compatibilizer such as ethylene octane elastomeric copolymer (POE) on the enhancement of mechanical properties of composites was also studied in addition to the radiation treatment. The enhancement of tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break of composite with microwave‐treated W‐EPDM were increased up to 41% and 62%. Corresponding values were found 44% and 68% for ultrasonic treatment. Higher amount of energy during microwave treatment induced larger and localized cavity formation on the surface of composite results reduction of TS as confirmed from surface morphology study. On the contrary, encapsulation effect of POE only found to be useful to enhance TS of the composites up to 30% with untreated W‐EPDM and LDPE. No significant additional strength increase over microwave and ultrasound treatment was found upon using POE. The encapsulation effect of POE disappeared when radiation was applied. FTIR and DMA study revealed the existence of only physical interaction upon microwave and ultrasound treatment. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:533–540, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
In this study, a composite has been prepared by mixing waste rubber, such as ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer and low-density poly ethylene foaming, with supercritical carbon dioxide. In order to optimise the foaming process of the waste ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer-low-density poly ethylene composite, the variations of pressure and temperature on the foamed Microcell formation were studied. As indicated in scanning electron microscope photographs, the most uniform microcellular pattern was found at 200 bar and 100 °C using 30% by weight of waste ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer. Carbon dioxide could not be dissolved uniformly during foaming owing to extensive cross-linking of the waste ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer used for the composite. As a result the presence of un-uniform microcells after foaming were observed in the composite matrix to impart inferior mechanical properties of the composite. This problem was solved with uniform foaming by increasing the cross-link density of low-density poly ethylene using 1.5 parts per hundred dicumyl peroxide that enhances composite tensile and compressive strength up to 57% and 15%, respectively. The composite has the potential to be used as a foaming mat for artificial turf.
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