Linear low‐density polyethylene/(soya powder) blends containing polyethylene‐g‐(maleic anhydride) as a compatibilizer

Blends were made from linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) and various amounts of soya powder. The soya powder content was varied from 5 to 20 wt%. Polyethylene‐g‐(maleic anhydride) (PE‐g‐MA) was used as a compatibilizer. Tensile strength and elongation at break (EB) decreased with increasing soya powder content. However, Young's modulus increased with the incorporation of soya powder. The addition of PE‐g‐MA as a compatibilizer increased the tensile strength, EB, and modulus of the blends. The interfacial adhesion between soya powder and LLDPE was improved by the incorporation of PE‐g‐MA, as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy. Increasing the content of soya powder reduced the crystallinity of the LLDPE phase. The addition of PE‐g‐MA had no significant effect on melting temperature, but the degree of crystallinity of the LLDPE was increased. The thermal stability of the blends was determined by using thermogravimetric analysis. Thermal stability decreased with increasing soya powder loading. However, the addition of PE‐g‐MA slightly increased the thermal stability of LLDPE/(soya powder) blends. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers