Abstract
Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) or dynamic vulcanizates are a special class of thermoplastic elastomers, produced by simultaneously mixing and crosslinking a rubber with a thermoplastic polymer. Ethylene-butene copolymers are nowadays gaining more importance over ethylene-octene grades due to economic reason. TPVs based on blends of silicone rubber and ethylene-butene thermoplastic copolymer at a fixed blend ratio have been prepared via dicumyl peroxide (DCP) crosslinking. These TPVs exhibit very good overall mechanical properties. With increasing concentration of DCP, tensile strength, modulus, elongation at break and hardness of TPVs increase whereas tension set values decrease. Oscillating Disc Rheometer (ODR) delta torque values are correlated with various physical properties of TPVs. Ageing characteristics and recyclability of these silicone-based TPVs are also reasonably good. Rheological studies confirm pseudoplastic nature of these materials. SEM photomicrographs of theses silicone based TPVs confirm dispersed phase morphology.
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