RESEARCH ARTICLE
Ultra-high molecular weight styrenic block copolymer/TPU blends for automotive applications: Influence of various compatibilizers
Anagha M. Gopalan,
Kinsuk Naskar,
Anagha M. Gopalan
Rubber Technology Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Kinsuk Naskar
Rubber Technology Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
Correspondence
Kinsuk Naskar, Rubber Technology Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAnagha M. Gopalan,
Kinsuk Naskar,
Anagha M. Gopalan
Rubber Technology Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Kinsuk Naskar
Rubber Technology Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
Correspondence
Kinsuk Naskar, Rubber Technology Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) based on new generation ultrahigh molecular weight styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are developed and characterized especially for automotive applications. Influence of maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS-g-MA) and maleic anhydride grafted ethylene propylene rubber (EPM-g-MA) as compatibilizers has been explored and compared on the blends of SEBS/TPU (60:40). The amount of compatibilizers was varied from 0 to 10 phr. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies revealed the dramatic changes from a nonuniform to finer and uniform dispersed phase morphology. This was reflected in various mechanical properties. SEBS-g-MA modified blends showed higher tensile strength. EPM-g-MA modified blends also displayed considerable improvement. Elongation at break (EB) was doubled for the entire compatibilized blends. Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) confirmed the chemical changes in the blends brought about by the interactions between blend components and compatibilizers. Both SEBS-g-MA and EPM-g-MA had more or less similar effects in dynamic mechanical properties of the blends. Additionally, melt rheological studies have also been pursued through a rubber process analyzer (RPA) to get a better insight.
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