Studies in interchain crosslinking and heat shrinkability of polymer blends consisting of grafted low-density polyethylene and ethylene-acrylic rubber

• Published in: Polymer composites Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 83 - 93
• Main Authors: Mishra, J. K., Das, C. K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.02.2003; Willey; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Properties and characterization; Structure, morphology and analysis; Mixing; Heat treatment; Polymer blends; Molten state; Swelling; Molecular structure; Elastomer; Crosslinking; Shrinkage; Experimental study; Uniaxial drawing; Low density ethylene polymer; Ethylene copolymer; Acrylate copolymer
• ISSN: 0272-8397; 1548-0569
• DOI: 10.1002/pc.10008

Blends prepared by the melt mixing of thermoplastic and elastomer have gained considerable attention in recent years. Heat shrinkability, which is dependent on elastic memory, can be introduced into the system in the form of an elastomeric phase. The present study deals with the measurement of heat shrinkability of the blends of grafted polyethylene and an ethylene acrylic elastomer. Interchain crosslinking between grafted polyethylene and elastomer improves the shrinkability. High temperature performance of the samples depends on interchain crosslinking. From torque rheometry it was observed that the maximum amount of interchain crosslinking was obtained in the sample containing acrylamide grafted LDPE. The probable interaction between the rubber and the plastic phase is confirmed by IR spectroscopy.