Effect of compatibilizer on mechanical properties of PP/Nylon 6/EVA blends

Abstract

The goal of this research is to improve compatibility of PP/Nylon 6/EVA blends by a compatibilizer, PP grafted with maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA). This study focuses on the effect of composition of blends and compatibilizer content on the blends. The polymer blends with PP-g-MA used as a compatibilizer were prepared by melt blending with a single screw extruder at 220 ํC and a screw speed of 40 rpm with varying PP-g-MA contents from 0-20 phr. The tensile strength, elongation at break, flexural strength and impact strength were determined. The blend containing of PP-g-MA showed a positive effect on the impact strength and elongation at break. The tensile strength and flexural strength were not, however, significantly affected by the presence of PP-g-MA. SEM micrographs revealed that the sizes of domains of dispersed nylon 6 phase decreased upon the addition of the compatibilizer. The maleic anhydride functionalities in the compatibilizer may involve in the formation of hydrogen bond and/or reacted with the amino groups of nylon 6.