GLASS-FIBER-REINFORCED POLYPROPYLENE EPDM BLEND .1. MELT RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Melt rheological properties of the blend of isotactic polypropylene (PP) and ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) at varying ratios and of the glass fiber (GF) filled PP and PP/EPDM blend by varying both GF loading and blending ratio of the polyblend matrix are studied. Rheological measurements at 220-degrees-C in shear rate range 10(1)-10(4) s-1 were made on a capillary rheometer. Scanning electron micrographs of the extrudates are presented to show the morphology and the alignment of the glass fibers with respect to the flow direction. Variations of pseudoplasticity index, melt viscosity, and melt elasticity with EPDM content in PP/EPDM blend, and with varying GF content at any given composition of the matrix in PP/EPDM/GF ternary system, in the studied range are presented and discussed. Results on melt viscosity and melt elasticity show (i) reduced effect of GF at high shear rates on these properties and (ii) upward deviation of melt viscosity versus shear rate curve at low shear rates. A change in flow behavior in presence of GF is observed around a critical shear rate 2 x 10(3) s-1 and is attributed to the difference of interaction of GF and the dispersed rubber droplets at high and low shear rates. Elastic recovery showed nonequilibrium behavior at low shear rates.