Compatibilization and properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/ polyethylene blends based on recycled materials

The morphology, the physical/mechanical properties and phase interactions of non-compatibilized and compatibilized blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and polyethylene (HDPE) were examined by SEM, DSC, FTIR, NMR and rheometry. The compatibilizing efficency of epoxy functional groups was related to the occurrence of in situ grafting reactions with the chain end-groups of PET during melt mixing.