Compatibility enhancement of poly(ethylene terephthalate) polyethylene blends using a reactive compatibilizer

The compatibility enhancement of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/polyethylene (PE) blends by incorporating a reactive compatibilizer and the factors related to toughening of the PET/PE blends were investigated. For this purpose, poly(ethylene-coacrylic esterate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (EAG) was employed as a reactive compatibilizer. This material is expected to enhance the compatibility because ethylene, the largest component in EAG, is miscible with PE and epoxy group in glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) reacts with the carboxylic acid in PET. As a result of compatibilizer addition, the reduction in interfacial tension and consequent decrease in tile size of dispersed phase was ascertained by the scanning electron microscopic observation. The mechanical properties of blends were also measured and the results indicated that the interfacial adhesion was improved with EAG addition. With increasing the amount of EAG, the mechanical properties and the fraction of reacted molecules were increased. The maximum values of mechanical properties were obtained at 70/6/24 PET/PE/EAG composition.