Poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) copolymer as an effective compatibilizer of LDPE/wood flour composite

The mechanical properties of a ternary system consisting of low density pol yethylene (LDPE), poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) copolymer (EMAA) and w ood flour (WF) were investigated. For a better understanding of the mutual interactions between the components, binary blends LDPE I EMAA and EMAA / W F were studied as well, and the results were compared with published data f or LDPE / WF composite. Mechanical properties for LDPE / EMAA blend exhibit almost additive behavior, while the properties for EMAA / WF mixtures are similar to those of composites LDPE / WF compatibilized in situ by peroxide crosslinking. In ternary blends, an addition of 5 to 10 wt.% of EMAA is su fficient to achieve high tensile strength and Young modulus. The beneficial effect of the copolymer is explained by introducing a close contact betwee n the organic filler and polyolefinic matrix on the phase boundaries.