Effects of Extruder Parameters and Compositions on Mechanical Properties and Morphology of Maleic Anhydride Grafted Polypropylene/Waste Tire Blends.

A co-rotating twin screw extruder was used for blending thermoplastic elastomeric blends of ground rubber tire (GRT) and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA). The dynamic reaction occurring between the blends necessitates a study of the processing parameters of the extruder. The effects of the extruder screw configurations, screw speed, compatabilizer and blend ratios on the mechanical properties, and morphology was studied. Out of the four different screw configurations A, B, C, and D, screw D with reverse flow elements was found to be highly efficient with respect to mechanical properties, particularly at 100 rpm screw speed. SEM studies revealed that GRT and PP-g-MA are thermodynamically miscible under optimized screw configuration and processing condition of 100 rpm screw speed. SEM studies also show that the addition of compatibilizer increases the miscibility and, consequently, the mechanical properties. Finally, a composition involving GRT/PP-g-MA/SEBS-g-MA as 65/35/10 by weight was found to be optimum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]