CHARACTERIZATION OF LLDPE-LLDPEGMA BLENDS BY CONTACT-ANGLE AND FTIR-ATR STUDIES

Blends of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and linear low densi ty polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (LLDPEgMA) were prepared by m elt mixing. The surface of cast films with overall contents of 0 to 10 0 wt% of maleated LLDPE were characterized through contact angle measu rements as well as attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy ( FTIR-ATR). The contact angles of water and dimethylformamide (DMF) on cast film surfaces of LLDPE/LLDPEgMA blends decreases when the modifie d polymer content increases. From FTIR-ATR spectras of the blends, the carbonyl index on the films' surface was calculated. It was found tha t the higher the carbonyl index, the lower the contact angle value for the polyethylene blends. The roughness of the cast and extruded refer ence films was also analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM).