In situ compatibilization of polystyrene/polyethylene blends using amino‐methacrylate‐grafted polyethylene

Abstract

SYNOPSISBlends of a styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA) with polyethylene ( P E ) or polyethylene melt grafted with tertiary (PE-g-DMAEMA) or secondary ( PE-g-tBAEMA) amino methacrylate were prepared by blending in a batch melt mixer. The morphology of these blends at various compositions was examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and related to their tensile and impact properties. The SMA/PE blends are found to have the typical coarse morphology of incompatible blends and poor mechanical properties, while their reactive counterparts, SMA/PE-g-DMAEMA or SMA/PE-g-tBAEMA blends, show finer morphology and modestly improved tensile and impact strength. This was attributed to chemical interaction of the acidic anhydride and the basic amino groups. The greater improvement in morphology for SMA/PE-g-tBAEMA than for SMA/PE-g-DMAEMA suggests a stronger interaction between the secondary amino groups and the anhydride groups, possibly with the formation of SMA-g-tBAEMA-g-PE graft polymer through amide covalent bonds. The amide formation appears to occur at the interfacial region in the blends and is too little to be detected by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. However, differential scanning calorimeters (DSC) and the viscosity measurements indicate crystallinity and molecular weight changes for the SMA/PE-g-tBAEMA blends, supporting an argument for the formation of SMA-g-tBAEMA-g-PE grafts at the phase interface.

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

“…Nando et al 16,17 have studied the blends of EMA/PDMS. 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.…”

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

“…Lee et al 12 have investigated the miscibility of LDPE/LLDPE blends. Recently, Song and Baker 13 reported the in situ compatibilization of PS/PE blends using amino methacrylate-grafted polyethylene as the compatibilizer. Nando et al…”

“…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.…”

Compatibilization

“…81 Melt blends of maleic anhydride grafted poly(styrene) with amino-methacrylate-grafted poly(ethylene) display a somewhat finer morphology and improved mechanical properties. 81 Melt blends of maleic anhydride grafted poly(styrene) with amino-methacrylate-grafted poly(ethylene) display a somewhat finer morphology and improved mechanical properties.…”