P. Antony et al., Thermoplastic elastomers based on ionomeric polyblends of zinc salts of maleated polypropylene and maleated EPDM rubber, POLYM ENG S, 39(5), 1999, pp. 963-974
Ionomeric polyblends of the zinc salt of maleated EPDM rubber (Zn-mEPDM) an
d the zinc salt of maleated polypropylene (Zn-mPP) in the composition range
from 90/10 to 60/40 wt% behave as ionic thermoplastic elastomers (ITPE), w
hich show synergism in physical properties. The ionomeric polyblend shows h
igher physical properties than the corresponding non-ionomeric polyblend. I
nfrared spectroscopy reveals the occurrence of intermolecular ionic interac
tions between the component ionomers in the blend. Zinc stearate acts as a
plasticizer in the melt of the ionomeric polyblend, which exhibits a higher
melt viscosity than the corresponding non-ionomeric polyblend. The blend c
an be reprocessed like a thermoplastic, with no drop in strength even after
three extrusion cycles.