COMPATIBILIZING PPE AND PA6 WITH NITRO-PHTHALIMIDE DERIVATIVES

Compatibilization of poly(2,6-dimethyl (PPE) with 1,4 phenylene-ether) PA6 has been achieved in two steps: first, (PPE) was functionalized w ith N-methyl-4-nitro-phthalimide; then, functionalized PPE was allowed to react, by melt blending, with the amine end group of PA6, giving a trans-imidation product. The reaction path was followed by torque mea surements in a Brabender apparatus and the products characterized by i nfrared (i.r.) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The above PPE/PA6 blends, modified with a suitable rubbery component (Krat on G), showed a remarkable Izod impact strength value, compared to the uncompatibilized mixture (170 versus 30 J m(-1)). The maximum impact values were obtained with 1.65% functionalized PPE.