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Reactive compatibilization of polypropylene/polyethylene terephthalate blends
Author(s) -
Champagne Michel F.,
Huneault Michel A.,
Roux Claudine,
Peyrel Wilfried
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.11487
Subject(s) - materials science , compatibilization , polypropylene , polyethylene terephthalate , glycidyl methacrylate , ultimate tensile strength , composite material , polymer blend , elongation , polyethylene , izod impact strength test , copolymer , scanning electron microscope , polymer
The reactive compatibilization of polypropylene/polyethylene terephthalate (PP/PET) blends by addition of glycidyl methacrylate grafted PP (PP‐g‐GMA) was studied. Two PP‐g‐GMA copolymers, containing either 0.2 or 1.2 wt% of GMA, were used as interface modifiers. These were incorporated into PP blends (with either 70 or 90 wt% PET), replacing 1/5 of PP in the system. The use of these modifiers changed the blends' tensile mechanical behavior from fragile to ductile. Blend tensile strength was improved by 10% and elongation at break showed 10 to 20‐fold increases while stiffness remained constant. Scanning electron micrographs showed the PP average domain size in injection molded specimens to decrease to the micron/sub‐micron size upon addition of the GMA modified resins, while the unmodified blends exhibited heterogeneous morphology comprising large lamellae 10–20 μm wide. The low‐GMA graft content PP seemed slightly more efficient than the high GMA content PP in emulsifiying PP/PET blends. The GMA grafting level on PP had very limited effects on the blends' mechanical behavior in the range of GMA graft density provided by the two modified resins investigated.