INFLUENCE OF CHEMICAL AND MECHANICAL COMPATIBILIZATION ON STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF POLYETHYLENE POLYAMIDE BLENDS/

LDPE/PA6 binary blends and LDPE/PA6/compatibilizer ternary blends were prepared in a Brabender extruder, equipped with a prototype static mi xer. Compatibility of the components was estimated by rheological prop erties (viscosity and a melt flow index), and observations of the stru cture were made with the help of scanning electron microscopy and tens ile strength. It was found that the blends' structure and properties a re dependent on the recipe content of the polymer blends and the condi tions of their manufacturing. Uniformity of the blends of the thermody namically immiscible polymers was improved by using a prototype static mixer giving mechanical compatibilization and a compatibilizer giving chemical compatibilization. LDPE grafted with a maleic anhydride (LDP E-g-MAH) was used as a compatibilizer. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc .