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ABSTRACT To observe the effect of ENGAGE (a poly-olefin elastomer) on compatibilization of industrially important incompatible blend, high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene-propylene diene elastomer (EPDM), 15 wt % ENGAGE is incorporated into the system and the latter is found satisfactorily efficient as compatibilizer for the above system. To improve some industrially pertinent properties another strategies are also followed in addition, incorporation of magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)2] and electron beam (EB) crosslinking into the system. The gel content was found to increase with radiation dose, EPDM content and Mg(OH)2 dispersion. ENGAGE interestingly increases the gel content that is, promotes crosslinking. It is unique that filler dispersion and crosslinked network formation maintain the compatibility of the ternary system, which is confirmed by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, mechanical properties, and scanning electron microscope. The compatibilization, Mg(OH)2 dispersion, and EB crosslinking improve the mechanical, thermo mechanical, flame retardant properties, and phase morphology considerably. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44922. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A series of ethylene vinyl acetate/ethylene-propylene diene elastomer (EVA/EPDM) blends with four types of EVAs with various vinyl acetate (VA) content, are prepared without and with crosslinker, trimethylol propane triacrylate (TMPTA). These are irradiated by electron beam (EB). As the VA content increases, the gel content, i.e., degree of crosslinking of EVA/EPDM blends, is increased. With increase in VA content, the modulus and tensile strength are decreased but elongation at break is increased due to increase in amorphousness. On EB irradiation, modulus and tensile strengths are increased but at the cost of elongation at break. Crystallinities of all blends are decreased with increase in VA and EB crosslinking. The thermal stability of EVA/EPDM blend is decreased with increase in VA content but increased after EB irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) show that with increase in VA content the miscibility of two polymers keeps on increasing, which even become more after EB irradiation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43468. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]