Reactive Compatibilization of Polymer Blends

This research has examined the use of functionalized polymers that react at the interfaces in polymer blends to form block or graft copolymers during melt processing. These grafts act as compatibilizers that strengthen the interface and provide a powerful means of controlling blend phase morphology. Consequently, this approach provides an effective means of controlling the properties of multiphase polymeric materials. Most of the work involved the use of various polyamides as one component in the blend. The other component was a reactive elastomer, an ABS material, a core-shell impact modifier, or polypropylene. The end group configuration of the polyamide was shown to be an important consideration in morphology development. Functionalized additives are most efficient when both physical and chemical interactions are optimized. A variety of approaches for producing super-tough polyamide blends with low ductile-brittle transition temperatures are described. Cavitation of the rubber phase was shown to be an important part of the roughening mechanism in certain cases.