In situ compatibilization of low‐density polyethylene and polydimethylsiloxane rubber blends using ethylene–methyl acrylate copolymer as a chemical compatibilizer

The effect of the ethylene–methylacrylate copolymer as a chemical compatibilizer in the 50:50 blend of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and polydimethylsiloxane rubber (PDMS) has been studied in detail. Ethylene–methylacrylate (EMA) reacted with PDMS rubber during melt‐mixing at 180°C to form EMA‐grafted PDMS rubber (EMA‐ g ‐PDMS) in situ , which acted as a compatibilizer in the LDPE–PDMS rubber blend. An optimum proportion of the compatibilizer (EMA) was found to be 6 wt % based on results of dynamic mechanical analysis, adhesion studies, and phase morphology. Lap shear adhesion between the phases increased significantly on incorporation of 6 wt % of EMA. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed a single glass transition ( T g ) peak at −119°C. This was further supported by X‐ray diffraction studies, which exhibited a remarkable increase in the degree of crystallinity and phase morphology and showed a drastic reduction in the size of the dispersed phase at the optimum concentration of EMA. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.