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Abstract
Mullins effect under cyclic loading–unloading tests, in uniaxial tension and uniaxial compression, together with its reversibility of high impact polystyrene/high vinyl polybutadiene rubber (HVPBR) thermoplastic vulcanisate (TPV), was investigated systematically, where styrene–butadiene–styrene was used as a compatibiliser. Morphology studies showed that sphere-like HVPBR particles were dispersed evenly in the etched TPV surface with diameters of 4–6 μm. The Mullins effect was evaluated under cyclic loading–unloading tests. Experimental results indicated that an obvious stress softening phenomenon could be observed obviously in the uniaxial loading–unloading cycles in tension and compression tests. The maximum stress during loading–unloading cycle could recover partially; moreover, the maximum stress recovery ability could be remarkably enhanced by increasing heat treatment temperature.