Compatibilization of polyethylene/polyamide 6 blends with functionalized polyethylenes prepared with metallocene catalyst

Metallocene catalyst technology was utilized to prepare functionalized polyethylenes, which were used as compatibilizers in polyethylene/polyamide 6 (40/60) blends. Polymerization of ethylene with 10-undecen-1-ol, 10-undecenoic acid, or N-methyl-10-undecenylamine resulted in ethylene copolymers with a small amount (0.2–1.2 mol %) of functionalized side chains. The blends were prepared in a twin-screw midiextruder, and injection molded with a mini-injection molding machine. The effect of the new compatibilizers on morphology and mechanical and thermal properties was studied. Toughness as well as stiffness and strength increased significantly with an addition of 10 wt % compatibilizer. Morphology became much more uniform, and crystallization and melting behavior changed. The Molau test with FTIR analysis was used to determine that the desired reactions between the compatibilizer and polyamide had actually taken place. The results showed functionalized polyethylenes prepared with metallocene catalysts to act as effective compatibilizers in polyethylene/polyamide 6 blends.