Effect of dynamic crosslinking on crystallization and thermal degradation of polypropylene in polypropylene (PP)/ethylene–propylene DIENE (EPDM) rubber blends

Blends of isotactic polypropylene and ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) rubber were dynamically vulcanized using the dimethylol phenolic resin/stannous chloride crosslinking system. The EPDM blends are thermally more stable than polypropylene (PP). Dynamic curing rendered the vulcanizate thermally more stable than unvulcanized blends. The variations in degree of crosslinking and degree of crystallinity are the main factors for observed increase in thermal stability of vulcanized blends. Degree of crosslinking increases the interfacial adhesion between the PP and EPDM phases. Dimethylol phenolic resin used as a compatibilizer also enhanced the thermal stability of the PP/EPDM blends. Crystallization of PP in the blends of PP/EPDM was also studied through modulated differential scanning calorimetry. Other detailed analyses of endotherm peaks obtained after first and second melts in terms of heat of enthalpy, degree of undercooling, and degree of crystallinity were also evaluated. Kinetic parameters were also determined.