CRYSTALLIZATION KINETICS OF POLYPROPYLENE-POLYAMIDE COMPATIBILIZED BLENDS

Polypropylene and polyamide blends (composition 70/30) have been studi ed with and without the addition of maleic anhydride functionalized po lypropylene at different levels, 1, 3, 5 and 10% by weight. The influe nce of the compatibilizing agent on the thermal transitions and on the morphology has been determined by X-ray diffraction, differential sca nning calorimetry in dynamic and isothermal conditions and by dynamic mechanical analysis. The crystallization kinetics of these blends have been systematically investigated. The isothermal crystallization of t he PA component is influenced by the presence of PP, reducing the crys tallization rate due to the diluent effect originated by this polymer. On the contrary, the crystallization rate of PP in the blends is high er than the corresponding value for pure PP. This effect is higher in the blends without compatibilizer. This behaviour is related to the nu cleating activity by the PA component.