Mechanical Properties and Morphology of UHMWPE/PC/HDPE-g-MAH Blends

The blends of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polycarbonate (PC) compatibilized by using a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) grafted with maleic anhydride (MAH), HDPE-g-MAH, were processed by melt extrusion. Two grafting degree of HDPE-g-MAH, 0.5% and 1.2%, were separately prepared by melt-graft and solution-graft methods. The grafting degree of HDPE-g-MAH shows a significant role in enhancing tensile strength of the blends. The compatibilization mechanism of HDPE-g-MAH in the blends analyzed by FTIR indicates that a new grafting product, HDPE-g-PC, was in situ formed. The improvement of phase interface between UHMWPE and PC by addition of HDPE-g-MAH was observed by SEM.