Studies on the influence of structurally different peroxides in polypropylene/ethylene alpha olefin thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs)

Novel thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on polypropylene (PP) and new generation ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC) have been developed by dynamic vulcanization process, which involves melt-mixing and simultaneously crosslinking a rubber with a thermoplastic. In this paper technologically compatibilized blends of PP and EOC were dynamically vulcanized by coagent assisted peroxide crosslinking system. The effect of structurally different types of peroxides, namely dicumyl peroxide, di-tert butyl peroxy isopropyl benzene and tert-butyl cumyl peroxide with varying concentrations on the properties on TPVs was mainly studied. The physico-mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of these TPVs were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).