The effect of compatibilizer on mechanical properties and morphology characteristic of TPV nanocomposites based on LLDPE/Reclaimed Rubber

The objective of this work is to improve the properties of LLDPE/Reclaimed Rubber based on 50 wt.% Rubber and different nanoclay content (3, 5, 7 wt.%), using compatibilizer. Dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites (TPV nanocomposites) prepared in a brabender internal mixer for 16 minutes at 170°C. LLDPE, Maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MA) as a compatibilizer, Cloisite 20A, Reclaimed Rubber and cure systems were added to the blend respectively. The effect of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MA) on the microstructure and mechanical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mechanical properties. The XRD results showed that the interlayer distance of organoclay is larger in the sample with PE-g-MA than that of sample without compatibilizer. The SEM photomicrographs of cryogenically fracture of the samples showed that the fracture surface of the samples containing nanoclay and compatibilizer is rougher compare with similary but uncompatibilized samples. The results showed that the mechanical properties such as tensile modulus and elongation at break are poor in uncompatibilized samples in comparison with compatibilized samples