title: Reinforcement of dynamically vulcanized EPDM/PP elastomers using organoclay fillers.
abstract: Dynamically vulcanized EPDM/PP (ethylene-propylene-diene/polypropylene) elastomers reinforced with various amounts of organoclay were prepared using octylphenol-formaldehyde resin and stannous chloride dehydrate as vulcanizing agents. The effects of organoclay on vulcanization characteristics, rheological behavior, morphology, thermal stability and thermomechanical properties were studied. Experimental results showed that organoclay affected neither the vulcanization process nor the degree of vulcanization chemically. X-ray analysis revealed that these organoclay-filled thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) were intercalated. With respect to the mechanical properties, organoclay increased both the strength and degree of elongation of TPVs. The morphological observation of fractured surfaces suggested that organoclay acted as a nucleating agent in TPVs, improving their mechanical properties. However, adding organoclay reduced the thermal stability of TPVs by decomposing the swelling agents in the organoclay.
authors.affiliation: Nano-Powder and Thin Film Technology Center, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Tainan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yuhsin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Nano-Powder and Thin Film Technology Center, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jyh-Horng
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Nano-Powder and Thin Film Technology Center, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yao-Tsu
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Nano-Powder and Thin Film Technology Center, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Hao
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Nano-Powder and Thin Film Technology Center, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Tsong
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Leu
keywords: EPDM; PP; dynamically vulcanized; organoclay