Blends of Polypropylene (PP) and Polyamide 6,6 (PA 6,6) with Functional Polyolefin Elastomer (FPOE) as a Compatibilizer

摘要

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of functional polyolefin elastomer (FPOE) on the morphology, and mechanical properties of the blends of polypropylene (PP) and polyamide 6,6 (PA 6,6). PP was blended with different weight concentration of PA 6,6 and functional POE. All blends were carried out in a reactive twin-screw extruder. The mechanical properties of the blends, such as tensile strength at yield (σ_y), modulus of elasticity (E), and elongation, were examined. Moreover, their morphological behavior was investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is clearly indicated that the morphology structure can be controlled through functional POE. It was found that the morphology of the cryogenic fracture surface of the blends was dramatically changed, from micron fibers in the mechanical blending to sub-micron fibers in the reactive blending. The tensile strengths at yield (σ_y), and modulus of elasticity (E) of the blends with functional POE are increased relative to mechanical blends. However, the elongation of the reactive blends is decreased. These results illustrated that the functional POE can be employed as a effective compatibilizer in the blends of PP and PA 6,6. It stands to reason that functional POE can reduce interfacial tension preventing the blends from agglomerating as well as leading to smaller domain size and better dispersion of PA 6,6 phase in the PP matrix.