Low density polyethylene (LDPE), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer with 10-14 wt % (EVA-1) and 24-30 wt % vinyl acetate (EVA-2) contents, respectively, and ethylene-vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride terpolymer (OREVAC) were combined with rubber powder in the composition range: 100/0, 80/20, 70/30, 50/50, 30/70, 20/80. Two different rubber powders were used: ground rubber tire (GRT) and ethylene--propylene-diene (EPDM) rubber powder (RP), both of which were prepared by high temperature shear

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... ion. In the case of RP, changes in the crosslink density were also considered. The mechanical properties, melt flow index and morphology of the polymer/rubber powder composites were studied. Specimens were either prepared by compression or, for selected compositions, through injection molding. Improved elongations at break were observed for the OREVAC/rubber powder and EVA/rubber powder composites that were attributed to an enhanced interfacial adhesion between the dispersed rubber particles and matrix polymer. Composites with a rubber powder content as high as 70 wt % still showed good processability and elongation at break values greater than 100 %, which are basic requirements of traditional thermoplastic rubbers.