0000000001064214
AUTHOR
Maurizio Toselli
On the compatibilization of PET/HDPE blends through a new class of copolyesters
Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) and polyethylene are incompatible polymers and their blends show, in general, poor properties. Compatibilization is then a necessary step to obtain blends with good mechanical and barrier properties. In this work different compatibilizing agents were used, i.e. a maleic anhydride elastomer and some new products containing graft-copolymers having polyester segments grafted onto polyethylene backbone chains. Both the functionalized elastomer and the new products drastically improve the morphology and the ductility of the blend. In the case of the modified elastomer the compatibilizing action has been attributed to the formation of H-bonds whereas the copolymers…
Modification of EVOH copolymers with e-caprolactone: synthesis and compatibilization effects in PE/PVC blends
Polyethylene-polycaprolactone graft copolymers with different chemical structures (i.e. different number and length of PCL grafts and molecular weight of PE backbone) were synthesized from various EVOH copolymers and e-caprolactone, using Aluminum isopropoxide as catalyst, and were tested for their compatibilizing capability in PE/PVC blends. PE and PCL segments in the graft copolymers were found completely immiscible, while PCL segments of the graft copolymers were found completely miscible with PVC. When graft copolymers were added to PE/PVC blends they proved to be good agents for the dispersion of PVC phase in the PE matrix. SEM showed also improved adhesion between the dispersed PVC ph…