Preparation and characterization of flexible polybenzoxazine–LLDPE composites

Abstract

Polybenzoxazine-based flexible composites have been prepared by blending benzoxazine with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) in presence of a compatibilizer (maleic anhydride grafted linear low density polyethylene [LLDPE-g-MA]) using a melt blending method. It has been observed that the thermal stability of the composites increased with increasing amount of polybenzoxazine in the composition. Mechanical properties of the composites have been investigated by using tensile and flexural tests. Presence of 5 wt% compatibilizer in the composition showed very good mechanical properties. Pure polybenzoxazine possessed high tensile strength and less elongation at break whereas LLDPE showed low tensile strength and significantly more elongation at break. Composites consist of LLDPE and polybenzoxazine with additional LLDPE-g-MA, exhibited higher tensile strength than pure LLDPE and more elongation at break than pure polybenzoxazine. Prepared composites possess very good mechanical flexibility, which makes them good candidates to prepare of complex structures and coating.