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.