Effect of supramolecular hydrogen bonded network on the properties of maleated ethylene propylene diene rubber/maleated high density polyethylene blend based thermoplastic elastomer

A thermoplastic elastomer having supramolecular hydrogen bonded network was prepared by the melt mixing of maleated ethylene propylene diene rubber and maleated high density polyethylene in presence of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATA), which acts as a coupling agent. The hydrogen bonded network formation in the blend system enhanced the physical properties of the blend. The storage modulus and glass transition temperature of the elastomer–plastic blend containing ATA was found to be increased as compared to the blend without ATA. It was observed that polyblends containing ATA exhibit a rubbery plateau above the melting temperature of the maleated high density polyethylene. Reprocessability study confirmed the thermoplastic elastomeric nature of the polyblend system.