Influence of Morphology on Mechanical Properties under the Combined Use of SEBS and EOR as Elastomer in PP/Elastomer/Filler Ternary Composites

• Published in: Polymers & polymer composites Vol. 19; no. 9; pp. 725 - 731
• Main Authors: HIKASA, Shigeki, NAGATA, Kazuya, NAKAMURA, Yoshinobu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shrewsbury Rapra 01.01.2011; Sage Publications Ltd. (UK); Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Block copolymers; Calcium carbonate; Composites; Composition; Elastomers; Exact sciences and technology; Fillers (Materials); Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Impact strength; Mechanical properties; Morphology; Particulate composites; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer matrix composites; Polymeric composites; Polypropylene; Polypropylenes; Technology of polymers; Japan; Olefin copolymer; SEBS; Propylene polymer; Mechanical properties; Thermoplastic rubber; Dispersion reinforced material; Experimental study; Composite material; Triblock copolymer; Impact strength; Morphology; Calcium carbonate; Concentration effect; Olefin polymer
• ISSN: 0967-3911; 1478-2391
• DOI: 10.1177/096739111101900902

The influences of combined elastomers on impact properties and morphology of polypropylene (PP)/elastomer/CaCO 3 ternary composites were investigated. In the case that polystyrene- block-poly(ethylene-butene)- block-polystyrene triblock copolymer (SEBS) and poly(ethylene- co-octene) (EOR) were used as elastomers, a sea-island structure consisting of EOR dispersed phase and SEBS continuous phase was formed. The elastomer and the CaCO 3 particles were separately dispersed in PP matrix. In the case that carboxylated SEBS (C-SEBS) and EOR were used, the C-SEBS particles were dispersed in the EOR particles. Almost all of the CaCO 3 particles were dispersed in the PP matrix, although some of the CaCO 3 particles were dispersed in the C-SEBS/EOR combined particles. Impact strength improved with an increase of incorporated CaCO 3 particles. The effect of elastomer on the impact strength was SEBS ≥ SEBS/EOR > EOR = C-SEBS/EOR > C-SEBS. The morphology formed by elastomer and CaCO 3 particles strongly affected the impact properties of the ternary composites.