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Graft copolymer modification of polyethylene–polystyrene blends. I. Graft preparation and characterization
Author(s) -
Locke C. E.,
Paul D. R.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1973.070170824
Subject(s) - materials science , polyethylene , crystallinity , copolymer , polystyrene , grafting , styrene , composite material , low density polyethylene , characterization (materials science) , polymer chemistry , polymer , nanotechnology
The preparation and characterization of styrene–low‐density polyethylene graft copolymers for addition to blends of polyethylene and polystyrene to improve blend mechanical properties is described. The direct method of grafting with 60 Co radiation was employed using the polyethylene in pellet form. This approach gave good grafting efficiency with maximum yields limited to about 1 g of styrene reacted per gram of polyethylene. Excessive crosslinking at radiation doses beyond about 1 mrad was detrimental to the melt processibility of the graft. Crystallinity, dynamic mechanical properties, morphology, and stress–strain behavior of the grafts were examined and compared with melt blends of similar composition in order to better characterize the material produced.