On the Melt Rheological Behavior and Microstructure of Nanoclay-Filled Polyethylene/Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (PE/EVA) Blend

Correlation of rheological response with microstructure and also the tensile mechanical properties of nanoclay-filled polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate blends were studied. From transmission electron microscopy observations, the same clay localization within polyethylene- and ethylene vinyl acetate-rich blends was revealed. However, a better clay dispersion in the ethylene vinyl acetate-rich blend was found by analyzing the changes in the linear viscoelastic rheological properties discussed by the fractional Zener model and the power law expression. The clay influences on the tensile properties of polyethylene- and ethylene vinyl acetate-rich blends were in good agreement with its microstructure, implied by the rheological studies.