Compatibilized Polypropylene/Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer/Polyamide6 ternary blends: Effect of twin screw extruder processing parameters

Polypropylene (PP)/Polyamide6 (PA6)/Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer (EPDM) (70/15/15) ternary polymer blends compatibilized with Maleic-anhydride grafted EPDM (EPDM-g-MA) were prepared by melt blending using a twin screw extruder (TSE). Effect of TSE processing parameters including barrel temperature, screw speed and blending sequence on the mechanical properties of ternary polymer blends was investigated by application of Taguchi experimental design methodology. Three different levels of barrel temperature (220 degrees C, 230 degrees C, 240 degrees C), screw speed (90 rpm, 120 rpm, 150 rpm) and blending sequence (nominated as: Si, S2 and S3) were selected. The response variables were tensile properties and impact strength of the prepared samples which are directly affected by the blend microstructure. Investigation of the statistical-mathematical analysis results performed by the software depicted that the optimum processing conditions for the ternary blends investigated here, to achieve balanced tensile and impact properties, are 220 degrees C, 150 rpm and S2 blending sequence. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.