Reactive compatibilization of PP/PBT blends by a mixture of PP-g-MA and epoxy resin

Abstract

In this study, dual compatibilizers composed of the commercially available maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (PP-MA) and a multifunctional epoxy resin were demonstrated to effectively compatibilize the immiscible and incompatible blends of PP and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT). The PP-MA with a low MA content is totally miscible with PP to make the PP phase quasi-functionalized, so that the multifunctional epoxy has the chance to react with PBT and PP-MA simultaneously to form PP-MA-co-epoxy-co-PBT copolymers at the interface. These desired copolymers are able to anchor along the interface and serve as efficient compatibilizers. The compatibilized blends, depending on the quantity of dual compatibilizers employed, exhibit higher viscosity, finer phase domain, and improved mechanical properties. Epoxy does not show compatibilization effects for the PP/PBT blends without the presence of PP-MA in the blends. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.