Morphology of LDPE/PA-6 blends compatibilised with poly(ethylene-graft-ethylene oxide)s

In the present study, we have investigated the morphology and thermal properties of blends of low density polyethylene (PE) and polyamide-6 (PA-6) with two polyethylene-graft-ethylene oxide)s (PE-PEO) as compatibilisers. Blends with PE/PA-6 ratios between 70:30 and 30:70 and copolymer contents between 0 and 6% were prepared by melt mixing in a Brabender Plastograph. The morphology of the blends was studied by SEM. Addition of PE-PEO2000 to the PE/PA-6 blends decreased the size of the dispersed phase domains significantly and increased the adhesion between the phases. The addition of PE-PEO750 did not have any measurable effect on the PE/PA-6 blend. At a PE/PA-6 ratio of 40:60, the blend formed a morphology with two continuous phases. Addition of 4% PE-PEO2000 to this blend improved the adhesion between the phases significantly. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.