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Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/ Polypropylene Blends
Author(s) -
Cheung Man Ken,
Chan David
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0126(199707)43:3<281::aid-pi800>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , ultimate tensile strength , polypropylene , plastics extrusion , rheology , polymer blend , elongation , izod impact strength test , brittleness , ethylene , polymer , copolymer , biochemistry , catalysis , chemistry
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polypropylene (PET/PP) were compounded and pelletized with a single‐screw extruder. Standard ASTM tensile test specimens were made by injection moulding. The blends are stronger and stiffer than the plain PP specimens. The addition of a compatibilizer, EPOLENE E‐43, is found to improve the strength and stiffness of the blends at loadings of 50% and 70% PET. At 10% PET loading, E‐43 has the opposite effect of slightly reducing the tensile properties. All the blends are more brittle relative to either plain PET or PP. The addition of E‐43 results in negligible improvement in the elongation at break. E‐43 is also found to be an effective lubricant in improving the processability of the blends. The blends with E‐43 added have lower viscosities and less shear‐thinning characteristics than those without E‐43. © 1997 SCI.