PROPERTIES OF POLYPROPYLENE/NATURAL RUBBER/RECYCLE RUBBER POWDER BLENDS

Abstract

Abstract Thermoplastic elastomers have been prepared by blending polypropylene (PP), natural rubber (NR), and recycle rubber powder (RRP). The blends were melt-mixed using a Brabender Plasticorder torque rheometer at 190°C and 50 rpm. A fixed 70:30 blend ratio (wt%) of PP and rubber was prepared. The effect of partial replacement of NR with RRP at a fixed rubber content (NR+RRP), 30 wt% on mechanical properties, swelling behavior, torque development, and morphological properties of PP/NR/RRP blends was studied. Results show that the tensile strength, Young's modulus, and swelling resistance increase with increasing RRP content in the PP/NR/RRP blends whereas the stabilization torque and elongation at break exhibit opposite trend. Keywords: BlendMechanical propertiesNatural rubberPolypropyleneRecycle rubber powder Acknowledgments