Electron-induced reactive processing of polypropylene/ethylene octene copolymer blends - a new method to produce toughened polypropylene

Isotactic polypropylene has a good chemical resistance and hardness. However it has a low tough-ness. The blending with a rubber results in a significant increase of toughness. The main drawback of this method is a reduction of E-modulus and tensile strength. Increased values of tensile strength can be achieved by crosslinking of the rubber phase in polypropylene by high energy electrons under the dynamic conditions of melt mixing. This novel method was used for the production of toughened poly-propylene. In contrast to state of the art the tensile strength of toughened polypropylene is compara-ble with that value of original polypropylene. © Carl Hanser Verlag GmbH & Co. KG.