Study on Solidification Kinetics and Crystallization Analysis of Dynamically-Vulcanized PP/EPDM Blends

Abstract

PP/EPDM blends were prepared by dynamic vulcanization technology within a HAAKE torque rheometer. The effect of different plastic/rubber ratios of PP/EPDM blends on the curing behavior and crystallization kinetics were investigated. The obtained results showed that the plastic/rubber ratios played an important part in the solidification process as well as the crystallization kinetics. With increasing EPDM content, the cooling rate of PP/EPDM blends was significantly larger than that of neat PP. When PP content was 20 wt%, the crystallinity of PP was obviously larger than that of neat PP. Compared with neat PP, the crystallization temperature of the blends were remarkably shifted to the lower temperature. EPDM particles showed active effect on the nucleation process of PP during the cooling crystallization of the PP/EPDM blends.