Effect of metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene on the rheological and mechanical properties of poly(phenylene sulfide)/polyethylene blends

Blends of poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) and polyethylene, either linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) or metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene (MPE), that were prepared by melt blending, were investigated. From the rheological properties as determined by capillary rheometry, the melt viscosity of both PPS/LLDPE and PPS/MPE blends, was low when PE was in dispersed phase, but high melt viscosity was observed for both blends with PPS in dispersed phase. Significant differences depending on the composition were found in the mechanical properties such as percent elongation at break and notched Izod impact strength. In addition, dispersed phase morphology of the blends was analyzed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM), together with brief discussion about the difference between them.