Chemorheological study of compatibilized blends of low-density polyethylene and polydimethyl siloxane rubber

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 88; no. 12; pp. 2810 - 2817
• Main Authors: Jana, R. N., Nando, G. B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 20-06-2003; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; blends; compatibilization; Exact sciences and technology; infrared spectroscopy; morphology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Properties and characterization; rheology; Thermal and thermodynamic properties; Dimethylsiloxane polymer; Viscosity; Polymer blends; rheology; Swelling; morphology; Methyl acrylate copolymer; Shear flow; Consistency; compatibilization; Experimental study; Compatibilizer; Heterogeneous mixture; Low density ethylene polymer; Ethylene copolymer; Compatibility; Mechanism of action; Activation energy; blends; Rheological properties; infrared spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.12110

Compatibilization of the blends of polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) rubber and low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) was achieved through reactive processing during extrusion in a Monsanto Processability Tester (MPT). The chemorheological characteristics of 50 : 50 LDPE : PDMS blends with varying proportions (0–8 wt %) of ethylene comethyl acrylate (EMA) were investigated at three different temperatures (170, 190, and 210°C) and four different shear rates (61.3, 122.6, 306.6, and 613.1 s−1). It was found that EMA reacts with vinyl groups of PDMS rubber at a temperature of 190°C during extrusion through the capillary of MPT, forming EMA‐grafted‐PDMS rubber (EMA‐g‐PDMS), which acts as the compatibilizer for the blend systems. The results are based on IR spectroscopy, melt rheology, and phase morphology of the blends. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 12: 2810–2817, 2003