Effects of Mixing Temperature on Mechanical Properties of TPU/NR Blends

Blending method of two or more polymer is a well-established strategy to modify the physical properties without synthesizing the new polymer system. However, it is difficult to obtain homogeneous polymer blends because blending polymer requires suitable processing parameters. In this study, the effect of mixing temperature on tensile properties of the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with natural rubber (NR) blends was investigated as the one of processing parameters in obtaining homogeneous polymer blends. The blends were prepared via melt blending technique with the different TPU wt% of 85, 65, 45 and 25 at four different mixing temperature; 180 degrees C, 190 degrees C, 200 degrees C and 210 degrees C. The blend with 85% TPU shows the maximum tensile strength and elongation at breaks value at 180 degrees C mixing temperature. The viscosity of the polymer reduced at higher temperature. Also, the movements of molecules are more worthy because of poor molecule interaction. This will affect to mechanical properties of the blends. In general, it was observed that the mixing temperature is one of the important parameter in acquiring blends having optimum mechanical properties.