MISCIBILITY OF NYLON-46 AND ETHYLENE-VINYL ALCOHOL COPOLYMER BLENDS

Miscibility of blends of nylon 46 and ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol copoly mer (EVOH) was investigated. Blends were prepared by casting from form ic acid. Miscibility of the blends was investigated by means of Fourie r transform infrared (FTi.r.) spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Tensi le properties of the nylon 46/EVOH blends were measured using a tensil e tester. Based on optical clarity and melting temperature behaviours, it was shown that the nylon 46/EVOH blends are miscible at concentrat ions below 35 wt% of nylon 46. The blends having less than 35 wt% of n ylon 46 showed strong intermolecular interaction between the C-O group of EVOH and the N-H group in nylon 46. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studie s showed that the crystalline structure of nylon 46 was altered when t he blend composition is 35/65 nylon 46/EVOH by wt%. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.