A contribution to the understanding of polyethylene/ionomer/polyamide‐6 blends

It has been reported that the addition of specific copolymers can improve the mechanical properties of blends of polyethylene with polyamide‐6. One of these, a poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid) (EMA) containing between 4 and 15 mol % of methacrylic acid units, has often been used. Binary polyethylene/EMA and EMA/polyamide‐6 blends were studied with the hope that the role of EMA as a compatibilizer in polyethylene/EMA/polyamide‐6 ternary blends might be better understood. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), laser small‐angle light scattering, and mechanical property results are discussed. DSC measurements show that one component of the binary blends does not modify the crystallinity of the other. However, laser small‐angle light scattering shows that the morphology of the mixtures changes under similar conditions. Tensile properties of polyethylene/EMA binary blends vary linearly as a function of composition, whereas those of EMA/polyamide‐6 blends deviate slightly from linearity. These results indicate no interaction between the crystalline components of the mixtures, and weak interactions in the amorphous phase.