The effect of zinc stearate on melt-processable ionomeric blends based on zinc salts of maleated high-density polyethylene and maleated EPDM rubber

An ionomeric blend of maleated ethylene-propylene-diene monomers (mEPDM) an d maleated high-density polyethylene (mHDPE) exhibits higher melt viscosity than the corresponding non-ionomeric polyblend. The addition of zinc stear ate decreases the melt viscosity of the ionomeric polyblend. The ionomeric polyblend shows superior physical properties to the corresponding non-ionom eric polyblend. The addition of zinc stearate causes an increase in tensile strength of the ionomeric polyblend. Infra-red studies show that an interi onic interaction exists between the zinc stearate and ionomeric polyblend. Reprocessability studies reveal the thermoplastic elastomeric nature of the blend. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.