Studies in interchain crosslinking and heat shrinkability of polymer blends consisting of grafted low‐density polyethylene and ethylene‐acrylic rubber

Abstract Blends prepared by the melt mixing of thermoplastic and elastomer have gained considerable attention in recent years. Heat shrinkability, which is dependent on elastic memory, can be introduced into the system in the form of an elastomeric phase. The present study deals with the measurement of heat shrinkability of the blends of grafted polyethylene and an ethylene acrylic elastomer. Interchain crosslinking between grafted polyethylene and elastomer improves the shrinkability. High temperature performance of the samples depends on interchain crosslinking. From torque rheometry it was observed that the maximum amount of interchain crosslinking was obtained in the sample containing acrylamide grafted LDPE. The probable interaction between the rubber and the plastic phase is confirmed by IR spectroscopy.