CROSS-LINKED POLYOLEFINS AS MATRICES FOR 2-PHASE MATERIALS

This paper gives a review of the results of investigation of the effect of crosslinking on the properties of LDPE/pp(a)) blends and LDPE filled with particulate silica. Tensile and impact properties, crystallization behaviour, crosslinked portion formation and crack growth rate have been investigated. Crosslinking results in an increased compatibility of originally incompatible LDPE/PP blends apparently due to an in situ formation of a compatibilizer, leading to improved deformability and better impact resistance. Changes in the morphology as revealed by crystallization behaviour, and the increased number of tie molecules in amorphous region due to crosslinking result in better impact resistance of LDPE/silica mixtures, as well as to the improvement of other properties of two-phase materials, so as resistance to grack growth.