Compatibilization of polyethylene polyamide 6 blends with oxazoline-functionalized polyethylene and styrene ethylene butylene styrene copolymer (SEBS)

Study was made of the compatibilization of polyethylene/polyamide 6 (PE/PA6 ) blends with a ricinoloxazoline maleinate grafted polyethylene and styrene ethylene/butylene styrene copolymer. The blends were prepared in a twin-sc rew midiextruder, and the specimens for mechanical tests were injection mol ded with a mini-injection molding machine. The effect of compatibilizing on the mechanical properties and the morphology of the blends was studied. Th e toughness and ductility of the blends were substantially improved as a re sult of the compatibilization. Simultaneously, the strength and stiffness w ere slightly reduced. Morphological studies showed that the particle size w as reduced and the adhesion of the dispersed phase to the matrix was improv ed by the compatibilization. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.