Formation and Compatibilizing Effect of the Grafted Copolymer in the Reactive Blending of 2-Diethylsuccinate Containig Polyolefins with Poly-epsilon-Caprolactam (Nylon-6),

The intermolecular reaction and its role in determining
the partial compatibility between diethylsuccinate con-
taining linear low-density polyethylene or ethylene
propylene copolymer and poly-e-caprolactam (PA6) has
been investigated in the melt using a Brabender mixer.
The reaction product has been submitted to selective
solvent extraction with formic acid and n-heptane; the
characterization of the two extracted fractions and the
insoluble residue has demonstrated the formation of a
polyolefin±nylon (PO±PA6) grafted copolymer. The
formation of grafted copolymer has an evident effect on
the compatibilization of the two original polymers, indeed
the differential scanning calorimetry analysis shows a
remarkable decrease of temperature and enthalpy of PA6
crystallization. Moreover scanning electron microscopy
micrographs show clear evidence of size reduction of PA6
domains associated with improved interface interactions.