A review on graft compatibilizer for thermoplastic elastomer blend

Kumar, Nitiyah Krishna and Musa, Luqman and Rasidi, Mohamad Syahmie Mohamad and Rahim, Shayfull Zamree Abd and Rahman, Rozyanty and Azmi, Ahmad Azrem and Rennie, Allan (2021) A review on graft compatibilizer for thermoplastic elastomer blend. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2080: 012003. ISSN 1742-6588

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Abstract

A biodegradable thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) blend is developed by blending poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and natural rubber (NR) or epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and it is a sustainable substitution in recent years for synthetic polymers. PLA is high in mechanical strength and compostable, but it is highly stiff and brittle. The incorporation of NR or ENR to PLA increases the impact strength and toughness of PLA. However, the disparity in polarity between PLA and elastomer phase like NR and ENR results in TPE blend being incompatible. Hence, compatibilization is essential to improve its polarity and develop interactions. Compatibilizer that composed of two different polymer is known is graft compatibilizer with the aid of grafting agent. The graft compatibilizers are divided into two categories. The first type is made up of one polymer and grafting agent and, the other one is composed of two polymer groups and grafting agent. These two types of graft compatibilizer can be prepared via two different method such as direct melt blending and solution. Apart from this, the TPE blend is produced via the melt blending technique with mixing machines such as internal mixer and extruder. This article has reviewed the preparation of the graft compatibilizer and blending technique of TPE. Based on the findings, the graft compatibilizers has a significant role in improving miscibility and compatibility across blend composed of different phase.