AN INVESTIGATION OF THE COMPATIBILIZATION OF BLENDS OF POLYETHYLENE AND A SEMIRIGID LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE POLYMER

The mechanical properties of blends with liquid crystalline polymers a re in general poor and lower than those expected on the basis of addit ivity rule because of the strong incompatibility between the flexible and rigid components. Compatibilization is then necessary to enhance t he adhesion between the two phases and then to improve the final prope rties of these blends. The addition of maleic anhydride functionalized polymers could give rise to some compatibilization because of possibl e reactions between the maleic anhydride group and the end groups of t he liquid crystalline polymers. These reactions do not seem to occur i n blends of polyethylene and a semirigid liquid crystalline polymer. T he small increase of viscosity and of some mechanical properties can b e ascribed to the occurrence of polar interactions, such as hydrogen b onding between the components.