Mechanical and shape‐memory properties of polyamide/maleated polyethylene/linear low‐density polyethylene blend

Abstract

AbstractNovel polymer blends of polyamide and linear low‐density polyethylene with maleated polyethylene as compatibilizers were prepared in a modular intermeshing corotating twin‐screw extruder. Polymer blends with different contents of polyamide in polyethylene matrix were obtained. The mechanical properties were studied in terms of the tensile strength and elongation‐to‐break. The shape‐memory properties of the blended materials were characterized using three‐point bending test in a temperature‐controlled chamber. The results show that the incorporation of maleated polyethylene has a strong effect on the tensile properties and the morphology of the blends. The shape‐memory effect of blended materials is affected by polyamide weight fraction, and 60 wt % polyethylene, 20 wt % polyamide, and 20% maleated polyethylene have an acceptable performance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012