1. Introduction
A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is defined as a
polymeric material with properties and functional
performance similar to those of a conventional vulcanized
rubber; still it can be processed in a molten
state as a thermoplastic polymer. Because of their
unique characteristics, TPEs find very useful and
attractive applications in a variety of markets, such
as automotives, buildings and constructions, wires
and cables etc. TPEs are gradually replacing conventional
vulcanized rubbers or elastomers in the
above-mentioned fields of application. TPEs based
on rubber/thermoplastic blends are generally classified
into two main categories: first category consists
of simple uncross-linked blends and is
commonly designated by thermoplastic elastomeric
olefins (TEO), in the second category, the rubber
phase is dynamically vulcanized in presence of a
suitable cross-linking or curing agent, giving rise to