MELT BLENDS OF POLYETHYLENE WITH A PHENOXY

Melt blends of high density polyethylene (PE) with a phenoxy have been prepared over a full composition range using a Brabender Plasticorder . Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed a clear phase separation, viz. particle-in-matrix or co-continuous morphology depend ing on the composition. T-m (crystalline melting temperature) of PE de creased by 3-6 degrees C, whereas T-g (glass transition temperature) o f phenoxy increased up to ca 11 degrees C in the blends. Mechanical pr operties of the blends showed a negative deviation from linear additiv ity due to large phase separation (similar to several mu m) and poor i nterfacial adhesion.