IN-SITU COMPATIBILIZATION OF POLY(ETHYLENE-TEREPHTHALATE) POLY(ETHYLENE-CO-ETHYL ACRYLATE) BLENDS

Blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/poly(ethylene-co-ethyl ac rylate) were found to have good mechanical properties when melt-mixed at optimum conditions, i.e. at approximately 290-degrees-C for 25 min. Characterization studies based on tensile testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform inf ra-red spectroscopy of blend extracts and morphological evidence using optical and scanning electron microscopy, support the view that an in situ compatibilization of the two components takes place via transest erification reactions. Compositions studied covered the complete range and best mechanical properties were obtained when PET formed the blen d matrix.