Effect of high‐density polyethylene‐g‐maleic anhydride on the morphology and properties of (high‐density polyethylene)/(ethylene–vinyl alcohol) copolymer alloys

High‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/(ethylene‐vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) copolymer alloys were prepared through reactive extrusion method with high‐density polyethylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (HDPE‐g‐MAH) as a compatibilizer to improve the compatibility of the blending system. The results of the morphologies and properties of HDPE/EVOH blends show that the size of dispersed EVOH phase in HDPE/EVOH/HDPE‐g‐MAH blends is greatly diminished, the crystallization of EVOH is retarded and the impact strength of the blends is improved, which mean that specific interactions could be existed between the functional groups of the EVOH and HDPE‐g‐MAH. Rheological experiments and FTIR spectra reveal that network structures are formed in the blends when the content of compatibilizer is >20%.