Effect of processing conditions and reactive compatibilizer on the morphology of injection molded modified poly(phenylene oxide)/polyamide-6 blends

The effect of injection molding conditions and reactive compatibilization o n the morphology of maleic anhydryde-modified poly(phenylene oxide)/polyami de-6 blends was investigated. The injection flow rate primarily influenced the position of the subskin layer, and the injection temperature affected t he aspect ratio of the dispersed phase. A reduction of the size of the disp ersed phase occured during the converging flow in the barrel-to-sprue zone. The reactive compatibilization reduced the flow induced deformation, the c oalescence and the breakup of particles and improved the dispersion of the minor phase.