Influences of blend compatibilizers on dynamic, mechanical, and morphological properties of dynamically cured maleated natural rubber and high-density polyethylene blends

Influences of various types and loading amounts of blend compatibilizers on properties of maleated natural rubber/high-density polyethylene thermoplastic vulcanizates (MNR/HDPE TPVs) were investigated. It was found that TPV with any of the three types of compatibilizer exhibited superior mechanical and dynamic properties to those of the TPV without compatibilizers. Furthermore, the phenolic modified polyethylene compatibilizers (i.e., PhSP-PE and PhHRJ-PE) showed a better compatibilizing effect than HDPE-g-MA. Comparing the three types of compatibilizer, the TPVs with PhHRJ-PE exhibited the best mechanical and dynamic properties and the smallest dispersed vulcanized rubber domains in the HDPE matrix. Five loading amounts of PhHRJ-PE were then studied. The PhHRJ-PE at a loading amount of 5 wt% of HDPE exhibited the best overall properties. The TPVs with lower and higher loading amounts of PhHRJ-PE exhibited inferior mechanical, dynamic and morphological properties.