Structural characteristics of some high density polyethylene/EPDM blends

Blends of ethylene propylene diene terpolymer rubber (EPDM) with high density polyethylene were obtained by melt mixing. Mechanical properties of the composites, tensile strength, hardness, resilience, elongation at break, 100% modulus and tear strength were determined. Differential scanning calorimetry and wide angle x-ray diffraction were employed to study melting behavior and crystalline structure. The surface properties were analyzed using contact angle determinations. Also, compatibilization with PE-g-MA or dynamical vulcanization using phenolic resins was applied to obtain improved mechanical properties. It was found that the crystalline structure of HDPE was not changed during blending. The vulcanized composite presents a lower degree of crystallinity. Elongation at break and hardness were significantly increased for composites containing compatibilizing agent. The morphology of EPDM composites was studied by atomic force microscopy.