Dilatational shear bands in rubber-modified isotactic polypropylene

The main goal of this study is to further understanding of the role of rubber particles on deformation mechanisms in PP/EPR blend. For doing this standard tensile specimens were produced using injection molding. The results of microscopic evaluation of tensile specimen after some stretching show that damage forms in some points and then propagates in different directions. Also some elongated voids are observed, those are probably formed due to cavitation of rubber particles or debonding at the interface. With regard to achieved micrographs one may conclude that the deformation mechanism in PP/EPR blend can be massive dilatational shear banding due to repeated cavitation.