Lu HD, Yang W, Zhou S, Xing WY, Song L, Hu Y (2010) Preparation and flammability of EPDM/PP/Mg(OH)(2) dynamic vulcanizates. Polymers for Advanced Technologies 21(2), 113-117. [In English]

Web link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pat.1405

Keywords:

thermoplastic vulcanizates; EPDM; polypropylene; flame retardant; mechanical-properties; nonisothermal crystallization; thermoplastic; elastomers; magnesium-hydroxide; composites; morphology; behavior; polyethylene; combustion; phosphorus

Abstract: Magnesium hydroxide (MH) flame retardant dynamic vulcanized ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM)/polypropylene (PP) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) were prepared by a twin-screw extruder. Influences of MH on their morphology, mechanical properties, flammability, and crystallization behavior have been investigated. Static tensile measurements exhibited that TPVs have higher mechanical properties than un-vulcanized EPDM/PP/MH blends (UVBs). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies showed that the formation of the larger-size "microencapsulated structure" where the MH aggregates were covered with a cross-linked rubber phase improved the interaction between MH and polymer matrix. Results of limiting oxygen index (LOI) and microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) confirmed that TPVs had superior fire-resistant properties to UVBs. SEM images showed that more uniform and compact charred layers were generated in TPVs. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that the crystallization behavior of the flame retardant TPVs changed marginally with increase in MH content. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.