Effect of single-walled carbon nanotube on the physical, rheological and mechanical properties of thermoplastic elastomer based on PP/EPDM

Abstract The effect of the incorporation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) on the morphological, physical, rheological and mechanical properties of thermoplastic elastomer based polypropylene (PP)/ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) (80/20) is reported. The morphological study showed that the size of the dispersed phase decreased by the addition of SWNT, this effect being more appreciable with 0.5 wt.% of SWNT. The results of differential scanning calorimetry showed that the addition of SWNT increased the crystallinity of PP/EPDM/SWNT nanocomposites. This effect was not linearly dependent on SWNT content, particularly at high SWNT concentrations. The rheological results revealed that addition of SWNT increased the storage modulus and complex viscosity at low frequencies. The Izod impact strength and tensile strength improved when 0.5 wt.% of SWNT was used. Furthermore, the tensile modulus increased remarkably by increasing the SWNT content, but the elongation at break of the material decreased.