Influence of Natural Weathering on the Physical Properties of Compatibilized Blends of Poly(propylene)/Polyamide‐6

Abstract

Summary: The present paper deals with the effects of natural weathering on the properties of poly(propylene)/polyamide‐6 blends (70/30 wt %) without and with PP‐g‐MA used as the compatibilizer at various content ratios (2, 4 and 6 wt%). The resulted changes in the chemical structure, morphology and mechanical properties of the different blends were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and tensile tests. After one year of outdoor exposure, no important changes in the chemical structure are observed by FT‐IR spectroscopy for both virgin and compatibilized blends. SEM analysis revealed the effectiveness of PP‐g‐MA to improve the compatibility of PP/PA‐6 blends. However, the weathering effect on the morphology of both virgin and compatibilized blends resulted in the formation of voids and cracks on the fracture surfaces, while the ultimate tensile properties decreased considerably. The overall results indicated clearly that the presence of PP‐g‐MA compatibilizer in PP/PA‐6 blends had no influence on the photo‐oxidation process.

Artificial weathering effect on the structure and properties of polypropylene/polyamide‐6 blends compatibilized with PP‐g‐MA

“…However, in spite of the considerable work carried out on the degradation of neat polymers, there are only a few papers which deal with their ageing, and more particularly with the ultraviolet (UV) photodegradation in the presence of a compatibilizer. A previous work was carried out on the influence of natural weathering on the physical properties of PP/PA‐6 blends . So far, this study did not deal with the effect of the compatibilizer on their degradation rate.…”

“…A previous work was carried out on the influence of natural weathering on the physical properties of PP/PA-6 blends. 16 So far, this study did not deal with the effect of the compatibilizer on their degradation rate. The results obtained did not show important changes in the chemical structure of the compatibilized blends compared to the uncompatibilzed ones after one year of outdoor exposure.…”