Compatibilization of polyamide 6,6/linear low-density polyethylene blend by electron irradiation

Abstract

Polymer blending is a growing scientific and commercial development activity. In most cases, polymeric blends are formed by thermodynamically immiscible components. Such blends require the use of compatibiliezers that, often, are copolymers, graft copolymers or any means that improve the dispersion and adhesion of blend phases. Compatibility of a polymer blend plays an important role in determining the blend properties for their end use. In this work, the compatibilization of the polyamide 6,6/low-density polyethylene blend, using electron radiation, was carried out. Samples for mechanical test, with 75/25 %wt/wt composition were melt mixed in an extruder and then injection-molded. These samples were electron irradiated to doses of 50, 100, 150, and 200kGy. The tensile measurements show that the strength at break increases with an increase of the radiation doses. On the other hand, the elongation at break shows a rapid standing decrease as a function ofthe doses. Comparing these results with those obtained with no irradiated samples we have found an improvement ofthe mechanical properties ofthe PA6,6/LLDPE blend. We consider that the carboxylic groups produced in the polyethylene chains, during irradiation, react with the end amine end groups of the polyamide, acting as an interfacial bonding stabilizing this blend system.