On the compatibility of the IPP/PA6/EPDM blends with and without functionalized IPPI. Thermo-oxidative behaviour

Binary isotactic polypropylene (IPP)/polyamide 6 (PA6) and ternary IPP/PA6/ethylene-propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) blends in various ratios were obtained in a Haake Rheocord mixer. Processing behaviour was changed in the presence of IPP functionalized with bismaleimide (BMI),maleic anhydride (MA) and acrylic acid (AA) as reactive compatibilizing agents. The thermal and thermo-oxidative behaviour of blends was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. The functionalized IPPs modify the crystallinity degree and the decomposition behaviour of both IPP and PA6 as a result of chemical reactions of functional groups with those of the PA6. The changes depend on the IPP/PA6 or IPP/PA6/EPDM ratio, the chemical nature and amount of the functionalized IPP. On the basis of the processing and thermal data one can conclude that the compatibilizing agent effect increases in the following order: IPP-AA < IPP-BMIapproximate toIPP-MA. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.