Filmability and properties of compatibilized PA6/LDPE blends

Abstract

Blends of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyamide 6 (PA6), compatibilized with an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer (EAA), either alone or combined with a low molar mass bis-oxazoline compound (PBO), have been processed in film blowing operations and the properties of the films have been investigated. Without of compatibilization, the filmability of the blend was very poor and no significant specimen was collected. As a result of the reactive compatibilization, the blends with EAA and even more with the EAA-PBO, were processed successfully in film blowing. The films of the quaternary blends were shown to possess satisfactory mechanical properties as a result of fine and stable morphology. The results confirm the conclusion of a previous study, i.e., that the PBO fourth component may promote the in situ formation of PA6-g-EAA copolymers by reaction with both the functional groups of PA6 and the carboxyl groups of EAA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:1297–1302, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers