MELT RHEOLOGY OF HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE POLYAMIDE-6 BLENDS

Commercial high density polyethylene and polyamide-6 (PA) resins were melt blended in the Brabender Plasticorder twin-screw extruder. The blends containing zero to 30 wt percent of polyamide-6 were examined in dynamic and steady state shear at 150, 200, and 250 degree C. The rheological test results are discussed in terms of morphology of the samples as observed under scanning electron microscope. Microscopy of the extrudates has shown a temperature dependent movement of the polyamide in the capillary during the extrusion and that fibrillation of the PA phase in the extensional field occurred at all temperatures.