Compatibilizers for thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer/polyolefin blends prepared by reactive mixing: The effect of processing conditions

The effect of processing conditions on the melt formation of a graft-copolymer compatibilizer for blends of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) and polyolefins was investigated. The compatibilizer was formed by an melt acidolysis reaction of a 50/50 (w/w) blend of TLCP and the sodium salt of a poly(ethylene-coacrylic acid) ionomer. The effect of various processing conditions in a batch mixer and a single screw extruder on the extent of reaction were assessed. The extent of graft-copolymer formation and the efficacy of the product as a compatibilizer for TLCP/polyethylene blends was affected by the processing temperature and the rate screw (or rotor) speed.