Effect of poly (ethylene - co - methyl acrylate - co - glycidyl methacrylate) and styrene - b - ethyelene-butadiene - b-styrene as compatibilizers on the properties
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Date
2016-06
Authors
Nor Liana Mohd Fouzi
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Abstract
The effect of different compositions (20:80, 50:50 and 80:20 blending ratios) of recycled polyethylene terephthalate and low density polyethylene (R-PET/LDPE) blends and the effect of different amounts (5, 10 and 15wt%) of poly (ethylene-co-methyl acrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (EMAGMA) terpolymer and styrene -b- ethylene/butylene -b- styrene (SEBS) triblock thermoplastic elastomer as compatibilizers on the mechanical and morphological properties of R-PET/LDPE blends were investigated. R-PET and LDPE were blended in a single screw extruder with temperatures along the barrel ranging from 150 to 260oC and a screw speed of 45 rpm. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) analysis showed that the fractured surface of un-compatibilized R-PET/LDPE blends was characterized by a gross phase separation morphology that leads to the poor interfacial adhesion. Furthermore, an abrupt decrease in impact strength and elongation at break were observed, which denotes the brittleness of the binary blends. 80R-PET/20LDPE (R8) blend was considered as the best blend composition as further addition of R-PET increased the mechanical properties of the blend. The presence of both EMAGMA and SEBS compatibilizers decreased the value of tensile modulus, and increased slightly the elongation at break. The tensile behaviour of the blend are more significantly improved as EMAGMA used as a compatibilizer compared with SEBS. The morphology properties of R-PET/LDPE/EMAGMA blends showed better interfacial adhesion compared to R-PET/LDPE/SEBS blends. In conclusion, the compatibilization efficiency of R-PET/LDPE blend was more pronounced by the addition of EMAGMA as compatibilizer rather than SEBS.