COMPATIBILIZING EFFECT OF POLY(HYDROGENATED BUTADIENE-METHYL METHACRYLATE) COPOLYMER FOR PVC LLDPE BLENDS/

The mechanical properties of incompatible polymer pairs, and so blend compatibility, may be improved by the addition of well-chosen copolyme rs which can act as efficient compatibilizers. Poly(butadiene-b-methyl methacrylate) copolymer (PBD-b-PMMA) with a 1,4-PBD block (more than 80%) has been synthesized by anionic polymerization. Hydrogenation of the PBD chain produces a (HPBD-b-PMMA) copolymer which is a good compa tibilizer for blends of poly(vinyl chloride) and linear low density po lyethylene (PVC/LLDPE). Results of the Charpy impact strength and the tensile mechanical behaviour demonstrate that the copolymers can signi ficantly enhance the compatibility of the blends. Nevertheless, the co mpatibilizing efficiency depends on a combination of the molecular wei ght, the copolymer concentration and the composition of blends. Copyri ght (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd