Improving Morphology and Performance of EPDM/Polypropylene/Clay Blends via PP-g-MA Compatibilization

Amir Hamzah Siregar; Rizki Anggraini Nasution; Risna Tanjung

doi:10.22146/ijc.111264

Improving Morphology and Performance of EPDM/Polypropylene/Clay Blends via PP-g-MA Compatibilization

https://doi.org/10.22146/ijc.111264

Amir Hamzah Siregar^(1*), Rizki Anggraini Nasution⁽²⁾, Risna Tanjung⁽³⁾

(1) Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Bioteknologi No. 1, Medan 20155, Indonesia
(2) Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Bioteknologi No. 1, Medan 20155, Indonesia
(3) Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Bioteknologi No. 1, Medan 20155, Indonesia
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of incorporating maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) as a compatibilizer on the morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of EPDM/PP blends reinforced with clay powder for thermoplastic elastomer applications. PP-g-MA was prepared by refluxing in xylene, and EPDM/PP blends were prepared using the same procedure, incorporating PP-g-MA as a compatibilizer and clay powder as a filler at various loadings (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 phr). The unmodified blends exhibited poor morphology due to phase incompatibility. In contrast, the addition of PP-g-MA significantly improved the dispersion of clay particles, resulting in a more homogeneous microstructure. The compatibilizer also enhanced mechanical performance, particularly tensile strength and elongation at break. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of hydrogen bonding between silica and PP-g-MA, while thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated the highest thermal stability at 528.23 °C with a residue mass of 34.33%. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of PP-g-MA in enhancing the overall performance of clay-reinforced EPDM/PP blends as thermoplastic elastomers.

Keywords

compatibilizer; clay powder; EPDM rubber; polypropylene; PP-g-MA

Full Text:

Full Text PDF

References

[1] Panigrahi, H., Sreenath, P.R., Bhowmick, A.K., and Dinesh Kumar, K., 2019, Unique compatibilized thermoplastic elastomer from polypropylene and epichlorohydrin rubber, Polymer, 183, 121866.

[2] Oyarhoseini, H., Katbab, A.A., and Abdi, R., 2024, Dynamically vulcanized CNC-reinforced thermoplastic elastomer based on PP/EPDM: Morphology and mechanical properties control via interfacial compatibilization, Polym. Eng. Sci., 64 (5), 2312–2323.

[3] Patra, P.K., Jaisingh, A., Goel, V., Kapur, G.S., and Nebhani, L., 2022, Crystallization kinetics of compatibilized blends of polypropylene and polyethylenimine, J. Therm. Anal. Calorim., 147 (12), 6689–6699.

[4] Bhattacharya, A.B., Raju, A.T., Chatterjee, T., and Naskar, K., 2020, Development and characterizations of ultra-high molecular weight EPDM/PP based TPV nanocomposites for automotive applications, Polym. Compos., 41 (12), 4950–4962.

[5] Gangwani, P., Kalin, M., and Emami, N., 2023, Does a compatibilizer enhance the properties of carbon fiber-reinforced composites?, Polymers, 15 (23), 4608.

[6] Panigrahi, H., Sreenath, P.R., and Kotnees, D.K., 2020, Unique compatibilized thermoplastic elastomer with high strength and remarkable ductility: effect of multiple point interactions within a rubber-plastic blend, ACS Omega, 5 (22), 12789–12808.

[7] Durmaz, B.U., and Aytac, A., 2019, Characterization of carbon fiber-reinforced poly(phenylene sulfide) composites prepared with various compatibilizers, J. Compos. Mater., 54 (1), 89–100.

[8] Nakhaei, M.R., Mostafapour, A., Dubois, C., Naderi, G., and Reza Ghoreishy, M.H., 2019, Study of morphology and mechanical properties of PP/EPDM/clay nanocomposites prepared using twin-screw extruder and friction stir process, Polym. Compos., 40 (8), 3306–3314.

[9] Mokhtari Dizaji, S., Katbab, A.A., and Hajibabazadeh, S., 2023, Role of interfacial compatibilizer and functionality of rubber phase on micromorphology development and mechanical properties of PP/EPDM/nanosilica ternary nanocomposite, Polym. Bull., 80 (2), 1353–1368.

[10] Minh, V.C., Huy, N.N., Thi, T.N., and Nguyen, L.T.L., 2025, Adsorption characteristics of coconut husk biochar for organics in water, Indones. J. Chem., 25 (3), 730–743.

[11] Siraj, S., Al-Marzouqi, A.H., Iqbal, M.Z., and Ahmed, W., 2022, Impact of micro silica filler particle size on mechanical properties of polymeric based composite material, Polymers, 14 (22), 4830.

[12] Zhou, B., Liu, W., Huang, Y., Luo, J., and Yin, B., 2025, Effect of thermo-oxidative, ultraviolet and ozone aging on mechanical property degradation of carbon black-filled rubber materials, Buildings, 15 (15), 2705.

[13] Ramesh, M., Rajeshkumar, L.N., Srinivasan, N., Kumar, D.V., and Balaji, D., 2022, Influence of filler material on properties of fiber-reinforced polymer composites: A review, e-Polym., 22 (1), 898–916.

[14] Savas, L.A., Tayfun, U., and Dogan, M., 2016, The use of polyethylene copolymers as compatibilizers in carbon fiber reinforced high density polyethylene composites, Compos. B Eng., 99, 188–195.

[15] Chabira, A.S., Bouremel, C., Sakri, A., and Boutarfaia, A., 2022, Synthesis and characterization of biocomposites based polypropylene/thermoplastic starch-reinforced with natural Stipa tenacissima fibers and PP-g-MA, Metall. Mater. Eng., 28 (3), 487–501.

[16] Azizli, M.J., Barghamadi, M., Rezaeeparto, K., and Parham, S., 2022, Improvement of mechanical, morphological and thermal properties on PP-enriched graphene oxide/PP-g-MA/EPDM blend compatibilized: PP-g-MA compatibilizer and graphene oxide nanofiller role, J. Polym. Res., 29 (8), 322.

[17] Zoukrami, F., Haddaoui, N., Sclavons, M., Devaux, J., and Vanzeveren, C., 2018, Rheological properties and thermal stability of compatibilized polypropylene/untreated silica composites prepared by water injection extrusion process, Polym. Bull., 75 (12), 5551–5566.

[18] Siregar, A.H., Warman, A., Harahap, M., Nainggolan, G., Dellyansyah, D., and Gea, S., 2021, Preparation of biodegradable and low-cost lignin-based PVOH carbon fibers prepared by electrospinning, Indones. J. Chem., 21 (6), 1463–1470.

[19] Sarfraz, M., ur Rehman, Z., and Ba-Shammakh, M., 2019, Pursuit of electroconducting thermoplastic vulcanizates: Activated charcoal-filled polypropylene/ethylene–propylene–diene monomer blends with upgraded electrical, mechanical and thermal properties, Polym. Bull., 76 (4), 2005–2020.

[20] Bansod, N.D., Kapgate, B.P., Maji, P.K., Bandyopadhyay, A., and Das, C., 2019, Functionalization of EPDM rubber toward better silica dispersion and reinforcement, Rubber Chem. Technol., 92 (2), 219–236.

[21] Ibrahim, M.A.H., Hassan, A., Wahit, M.U., Hasan, M., and Mokhtar, M., 2016, Mechanical properties and morphology of polypropylene/poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) nanocomposites: Effect of compatibilizer and montmorillonite content, J. Elastomers Plast., 49 (3), 209–225.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22146/ijc.111264