Morphology monitoring of PE/PBT blends by reactive processing

Polyethylene (PE)/poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) blends were in situ co mpatibilized during a processing operation by the addition of a partially h ydroxylated ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAh). This copolymer, obtain ed from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), was as compatible with PE as EVA was before modification. In the presence of EVAh, the dispersion of PBT in the PE matrix was finer, and the interfacial adhesion was improved. These resul ts are relevant for the compatibilization of PE/PBT blends. Moreover, such blends present good toluene barrier properties. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.