Effect of dynamic vulcanization on PP/EPDM composite

Abstract

Many papers are involved with the mechanical and electrical properties of rubber or composite cured in traditional way but few involved with the properties of composite dynamicly vulcanized. The effect of dynamic vulcanization on mechanical and electrical properties of PPEPDM composite was studied in our laboratory. The relationship between the mechanical properties of composite and the vulcanizator concentration and ratio of PPEPDM is presented in this paper. As the ratio of PPEPDM increas, the tensile strength of composite increas and elongation decrease. When vulcanizator content is about 1.2 by weight percent both mechanical and electrical properties reach optimual values. In order to understand the dependence of mechanical properties of composite on vulcanization concentration and PPEPDM ratio, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) is used for the examination of micro-morphology of the composite. From the SEM photograph it can be seen that the mechanical propertise of composite depend on uniform distribution of the rubber particle in PP matrix. Obviously, dynamic vulcanization contributed to formation of small particles and improvement of compatibility between PP and EPDM. Therefor the PPEPDM composite posseses good mechanical properties. The electrical propertis, insulation resistivity and dielectric loss factor (tan6), of the composite with improved mechanical properties were also measured and the results of the experiment satisfied. Therefore dynamic vulcanization is an approach for improving the mechanical and electrical peoperties of PP/EPDM composite.