GRAFT-COPOLYMERS FROM MODIFIED ETHYLENE-VINYL ACETATE COPOLYMERS .2. SYNTHESIS OF POLYSTYRENE-GRAFTED POLY[ETHYLENE-CO-(VINYL ACETATE)] ANDEVALUATION OF ITS COMPATIBILIZING EFFECT IN POLYSTYRENE POLY[ETHYLENE-CO-(VINYL ACETATE)] BLENDS

Polystyrene-grafted poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] (EVA-g-PS) has b een synthesized from functionalized polystyrene containing acyl chlori de end group (PS-COCl) and partly (5%) hydrolyzed poly[ethylene-co-(vi nyl acetate)] (EVALVA-5%). The graft efficiency is ca. 100% when low-m olecular-weight polystyrene is employed. By increasing the molecular w eight of the grafts the efficiency decreases. These graft copolymers h ave been used for compatibilizing polystyrene (PS)/poly[ethylene-co-(v inyl acetate)] (EVA) blends. The ability of the copolymers as compatib ilizing agent has been verified by an analysis of the mechanical prope rties and by scanning electron microscopy.