Comparative study of interphase viscoelastic properties in polyethylene/polyamide blends compatibilized with clay nanoparticles or with a graft copolymer

Abstract

The linear viscoelastic properties of immiscible polyethylene/polyamide blends filled with clay nanoparticles or compatibilized by a copolymer, exhibiting identical nodular morphologies, have been studied. The apparent compatibilizing effect of clay nanoparticles, exclusively located at the interface, was evidenced and compared to the more classical organic compatibilization due to the formation of a macromolecular interphase. The results show that there are some analogies between the two types of compatibilization, but mainly highlight significant differences in rheological properties of the two types of interphase involved in the compatibilization mechanisms. The major differences in interphase viscoelastic properties were evidenced not only directly from the experimental data but also indirectly by using the Palierne's model for different clay or compatibilizer contents.