Effects of polyethylenes on the morphology, barrier, and impact properties of polyethylene modified polyamide blends

An investigation of the influence of the melt shear viscosities of polyethylenes (PE) on the morphology, barrier, and impact properties of polyethylene/modified polyamide PE/MPA bottles is reported. The melt shear viscosities of polyethylenes exhibited a significant influence on the deformation and morphology of MPAs during the blow molding of polyethylene/modified polyamide (PE/MPA) blends. Some obscure MPA laminars were observed in PE/MPA bottles as the value of melt shear viscosity ratio of MPA to PE (VR) deviated significantly from the "optimum" range. In contrast, clear and elongated laminar structures of MPAs were found as the value of VR reached the "optimum" range. Similarly, the total impact energies (Ets) and permeation barrier properties of PE/MPA samples improved with the value of VR until it reached the "optimum" range, after which value Ets and permeation barrier properties of PE/MPA samples reduced significantly with further increasing VR. Possible mechanisms accounting for these interesting behaviors are presented in this study.