GRAFT-COPOLYMERS FROM MODIFIED ETHYLENE-VINYL ACETATE COPOLYMERS .2. SYNTHESIS OF POLYSTYRENE-GRAFTED POLY[ETHYLENE-CO-(VINYL ACETATE)] AND EVALUATION OF ITS COMPATIBILIZING EFFECT IN POLYSTYRENE POLY[ETHYLENE-CO-(VINYL ACETATE)] BLENDS

Polystyrene-grafted poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] (EVA-g-PS) has been synthesized from functionalized polystyrene containing acyl chloride end group (PS-COCl) and partly (5%) hydrolyzed poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] (EVALVA-5%). The graft efficiency is ca. 100% when low-molecular-weight polystyrene is employed. By increasing the molecular weight of the grafts the efficiency decreases. These graft copolymers have been used for compatibilizing polystyrene (PS)/poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] (EVA) blends. The ability of the copolymers as compatibilizing agent has been verified by an analysis of the mechanical properties and by scanning electron microscopy.