In situ compatibilization of low‐density polyethylene and polydimethylsiloxane rubber blends using ethylene–methyl acrylate copolymer as a chemical compatibilizer

Abstract

SYNOPSISThe effect of the ethylene-methylacrylate copolymer as a chemical compatibilizer in the 50 : 50 blend of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polydimethylsiloxane rubber (PDMS) has been studied in detail. Ethylene-methylacrylate (EMA) reacted with PDMS rubber during melt-mixing a t 180°C to form EMA-grafted PDMS rubber (EMA-g-PDMS) in situ, which acted as a compatibilizer in the LDPE-PDMS rubber blend. An optimum proportion of the compatibilizer (EMA) was found to be 6 wt % based on results of dynamic mechanical analysis, adhesion studies, and phase morphology. Lap shear adhesion between the phases increased significantly on incorporation of 6 wt % of EMA. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed a single glass transition (T,) peak at -119OC. This was further supported by Xray diffraction studies, which exhibited a remarkable increase in the degree of crystallinity and phase morphology and showed a drastic reduction in the size of the dispersed phase at the optimum concentration of EMA. 0 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Poly(methyl methacrylate) toughened by ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer: Physico‐mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties

“…Recently Song and Baker 18 reported the in situ compatibilization of PS/PE blends. Nando et al 19 was also investigated the in situ compatibilization of LDPE/PDMS using EVA copolymer as a compatibilizer.…”

Electron beam irradiation of LLDPE and PDMS rubber blends: Studies on the physicomechanical properties

“…13−17 They have also achieved compatibilization of immiscible blends of LDPE and PDMS rubber through generation in situ a compatibilizer by reactive grafting of ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA) copolymer onto silicone rubber main chain without the use of a catalyst. 18 They reported that compatibilized blends on co-crosslinking with peroxides gave rise to enhanced mechanical strength properties, thermal stability as well as dielectric properties suitable for cable applications. 19 Recently, Jalali-Arani et al have investigated the thermomechanical reactive blends of LLDPE and PDMS rubber without the use of compatibilizer at elevated temperatures.…”

Studies on miscibility of blends of poly (ethylene acrylic acid) and ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate by melt rheology

“…Capillary rheometers, such as the Instron capillary rheometer and the Monsanto Processability Tester (MPT), have been found to be highly useful in this regard. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Since both EAA and EVA are polar polymers, we expected some kind of chemical interactions that would influence the mechanical performance. From a thorough literature survey, it was noticed that there was no report on the blends of these.…”