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Effect of ethylene–acrylate–(maleic anhydride) terpolymer on mechanical properties and morphology of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/polyamide‐6 blends
Author(s) -
Qu Cheng,
Su Run,
Zhang Qin,
Du RongNi,
Fu Qiang
Publication year - 2008
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/pi.2336
Subject(s) - materials science , maleic anhydride , copolymer , izod impact strength test , differential scanning calorimetry , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , composite material , microstructure , polyamide , polymer blend , toughness , ethylene , butyl acrylate , acrylate , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , polymer , ultimate tensile strength , organic chemistry , chemistry , physics , catalysis , thermodynamics , engineering
Background: Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/polyamide‐6 (PA‐6) blends are promising for engineering and food‐packaging applications. However, their poor toughness limits their use. In this study, an ethylene–acrylate–(maleic anhydride) terpolymer (E‐AE‐MA) was added to PET/PA‐6 blends in order to improve the toughness. Results: Izod impact tests indicated an excellent toughening effect of E‐AE‐MA. E‐AE‐MA particles were observed to be selectively dispersed at the interface between PET and PA‐6 phases and in the domain of the PA‐6 phase. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry results demonstrated that the formation of E‐AE‐MA layers around PA‐6 particles cut off the interaction between PET and PA‐6, resulting in an enlarged PA‐6 phase domain. Conclusion: Based on the experimental results, a core–shell microstructure, with PA‐6 as a hard core and E‐AE‐MA as a soft shell, could be suggested. The formation of this core–shell microstructure, along with the increased PA‐6 phase domain size, is the main toughening mechanism of E‐AE‐MA in PET/PA‐6 blends. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry