Effect of compatibilizer on morphology and properties of HDPE/Nylon 6 blends

The compatibilization effect of linear low-density polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (LLDPEgMA) and high-density polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (HDPEgMA) on high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/polyamide 6 (Nylon 6) blend system is investigated. The morphology of 45 wt %/55 wt % polyethylene/Nylon 6 blends with three compatibilizer compositions (5 wt %, 10 wt %, and 15 wt %) are characterized by atomic force microscopic (AFM) phase imaging. The blend with 5 wt % LLDPEgMA demonstrates a Nylon 6 continuous, HDPE dispersed morphology. Increased amount of LLDPEgMA leads to sharp transition in morphology to HDPE continuous, Nylon 6 dispersed morphology. Whereas, increasing HDPEgMA concentration in the same blends results in gradual morphology transition from Nylon 6 continuous to co-continuous morphology. The mechanical properties, oxygen permeability, and water vapor permeability are measured on the blends which confirm the morphology and indicate that HDPEgMA is a better compatibilizer than LLDPEgMA for the HDPE/Nylon 6 blend system. (c) 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 281-290