Compatibilization of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/polypropylene blends with maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene-octene elastomer

Blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and polypropylene (PP) at composition 80/20 with and without a compatibilizing agent were studied. Both materials are widely used in the soft drink bottle industry. The compatibilizing agent was a maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene-octene elastomer (POE-g-MA). The olefinic segment of POE is compatible with PP, whereas the maleic anhydride is affined with PET carbonyl groups. The effectiveness of the compatibilizing agent was evaluated using different techniques, such as Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, and rheological analysis. The results show that the addition of POE-g-MA promotes a fine dispersed-phase morphology, and improves process ability and toughness of these blends. Shifts in the glass-transition temperature of the PET phase and the increase in the melt viscosity of the compatibilized blends indicated enhanced interactions between the discrete PET and PP phases induced by the functional compatibilizer.