Effect of MAPE on the morphological, physical and mechanical properties of GTR/PP composites produced by rotational moulding

In this work, untreated ground tire rubber (GTR) and maleated polyethylene-treated GTR (GTR/MAPE) were dry-blended with polypropylene (PP) to produce PP/GTR and PP/MAPE/GTR blends via rotational moulding. From the samples produced (0–50 wt-%), a complete characterisation including morphological, physical and mechanical properties (tensile, flexural and impact) was performed. The results showed that all the mechanical properties of PP/MAPE/GTR are below the neat PP values due to the elastomeric properties of GTR. However, the properties were significantly higher for GTR/MAPE compared to neat GTR. For example, the tensile modulus and tensile strength increased by up to 57% and 76%, respectively. Similarly, the flexural modulus and impact strength were improved by up to 74% and 52%, respectively. These results indicated that successful rotomoulding of these blends was achieved with good mechanical properties for the range of parameters studied.