Binary and ternary blends of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyamide 6,6:: The effect of compatibilization on the morphology anal rheology

The effects of two compatibilizing agents, polystyrene-polyethylene butylene)-polystyrene copolymer (SEBS) and SEBS-grafted maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MAH), on the morphology of binary and ternary blends of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyamide 6,6 were investigated with scanning electron microscopy and melt rheology measurements. The addition of the compatibilizers led to finer dispersions of the particles of the minor component and a decrease in their size; this induced a significant change in the blend morphology. The rheological measurements confirmed the increased interaction between the blend components, especially with SEBS-g-MAH as the compatibilizer. New covalent bonds could be expected to form through an amine-anhydride reaction. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.