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Polybutylene terephthalate/high‐density polyethylene alloys. I. Morphological studies
Author(s) -
Joshi M.,
Misra A.,
Maiti S. N.
Publication year - 1991
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.1991.070430210
Subject(s) - materials science , polybutylene terephthalate , high density polyethylene , ionomer , composite material , compatibilization , izod impact strength test , polyester , polyolefin , polyethylene , thermoplastic , crystallization , polymer , polymer blend , ultimate tensile strength , chemical engineering , copolymer , layer (electronics) , engineering
Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is a commercially successful thermoplastic polyester but has certain drawbacks such as low impact strength and low melt strength. An attempt has been made to modify the properties of PBT by blending it with polyolefin such as highdensity polyethylene (HDPE). Since PBT and HDPE are incompatible, an ionomer has been used as a compatibilizer to form an alloy. Alloys of PBT and HDPE with varying amounts (2‐8%) of ionomer were prepared by melt blending. The ultimate mechanical properties improved significantly on the addition of the ionomer due to an increase in interfacial adhesion between PBT and HDPE. DSC studies show that the presence of ionomer facilitated the crystallization of PBT in the alloy. DMTA studies show that more of PBT (amorphous) is going in to the HDPE‐rich phase in the presence of ionomer. The morphology of the alloys was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polarizing microscopy (PM), and small‐angle light scattering (SALS). They showed improved dispersion of HDPE domains in PBT matrix with increasing ionomer content and change in the type of superstructure on adding the ionomer. It has been shown that an alloy of PBT and HDPE with improved mechanical properties and homogeneous morphology can be made with use of ionomer as a compatibilizer. Such alloys are cost effective and can find use in several engineering applications.