Blends of polyamide 6, polycarbonate,and poly(propylene oxide). II. Reactive compatibilization–thermal degradation relationships

The thermal degradation of some blends of polyamide 6/polycarbonate (PA6/PC) and polyamide 6/polycarbonate/poly(propylene oxide) (PA6/PC/PPO) were investigated. The copolymer formed during the mixing of polyamide 6 and polycarbonate, at 240°C, for 30 min, increases the thermal stability of PA6/PC and of PA6/PC/PPO blends. This increase in the thermal stability occurs due to the plasticizing effect of PPO, which increases the mobility of the molecules of PA6 and PC, and consequently increases the probability of the reaction between the —NH₂ and —O—CO—O groups of polyamide 6 and polycarbonate, respectively. The ternary blends with PPO (5–10% w/w) have lower thermal stability than PA6/PC blends. This is due to the decrease of miscibility between these polymers and the rise of the diluting effect. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2556–2562, 2001     

Kinetic studies of the reactive compatibilization of polyamide 6, polycarbonate and poly(propylene oxide)

The kinetics of the reactive blending process occurring during the stirred melting of polyamide 6/polycarbonate (PA6/PC), polyamide 6/polycarbonate/poly(propylene oxide) (PA6/PC/PPO) in a Haake internal mixer at 240°C were investigated. In the PA6/PC blends the formation of copolymers can be observed and they act as compatibilizing agents, raising the miscibility of these blends. In the PA6/PC/PPO blends, the composition is very important in creating the PA6-PC copolymers. The rise of the PPO percentage increases the mobility of the PA6 molecules and the probability of formation of PA6-PC copolymers in PA6/PC/PPO blends with 10% w/w of PC. The PPO percentage (3-10 phr) influences the kinetics of reaction of PA6/PC/PPO ternary blends with a constant PA6/PC mass ratio (85/15).     

Effects of extensional flow on properties of polyamide‐66/poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) blends: A study of morphology,mechanical properties,and rheology

In this study, polyamide‐66/poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (PA66/PPO) blends with high viscosity ratio were processed by a self‐designed triangle‐arrayed triple‐screw extruder (TTSE, which simulates extensional flow) and a commercial twin‐screw extruder (TSE), respectively. Furthermore, in order to improve the mechanical properties of the immiscible PA66/PPO blends, PPO‐grafted maleic anhydride (PPO‐g‐MA) and styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS) block copolymer were used. The mechanical properties, phase morphology, and rheological properties of both binary PA66/PPO blends and toughened PA66/PPO/PPO‐g‐MA blends were comprehensively investigated to compare the above mentioned two processing method. Samples processed with TTSE exhibited better mechanical properties than the TSE‐processed blends. The morphologies of the blends were examined by scanning electron microscopy, exhibiting smaller particles sizes and narrower particle size distributions, which were attributed to the significant effects of extensional flow in TTSE. The toughening mechanism of compatibilized blends was investigated through morphology analysis, dynamic mechanical, and rhelogical analysis. Thus, TTSE with an extensional effect was proved to be efficient in the blending of high viscosity ratio polymers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:1090–1098, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Carbon-13 NMR high-resolution study at solid of polyamide 6/PPO blends containing compatibilizer-block copolymer and polycarbonate

Two types of blends containing polyamide 6 and poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) were prepared. One of them was mixed with polycarbonate (PC) in a Brabender mixer. The other one was prepared in solution with the block copolymer as the interfacial agent. The blends were analyzed by ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance techniques at solid state, such as: magic angle spinning (MAS); cross-polarization MAS, and variable contact time experiment. It was observed that the addition of PC in the nylon 6/PPO system causes a hardening of it, which can be attributed to strong links, like a hydrogen bond. The ideal quantity of block copolymer added to a blend to improve the compatibility is between 5 and 10%. An increase of the quantity of this agent probably makes it act as a third component. Therefore, both PC and block copolymer can be used as an interfacial agent for nylon 6/PPO blends in an ideal composition. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 1635–1640, 1997     

Fractionated crystallization in PA6/ABS blends: Influence of a reactive compatibilizer and multiwall carbon nanotubes

The 20/80 blends of polyamide 6 (PA6) and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymer (ABS) in the presence of styrene–maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were prepared using melt-mixing technique. Crystallization behavior of the PA6 phase in the blends was studied using DSC, WAXD and SAXS techniques. Blends' morphology was characterized by SEM. We observed fractionated crystallization of PA6 phase in 20/80 PA6/ABS blends. It was also observed that the phenomenon of fractionated crystallization was influenced by the presence of both SMA and MWNT. Blends' morphology revealed the presence of wide domain size distribution of PA6 droplets in the amorphous ABS matrix. On incorporation of either SMA or SMA modified MWNT, the average domain size of PA6 droplets was found to be finer up to 1 wt% SMA modified MWNT. Encapsulation of SMA copolymer layer on the MWNT surface was also evident from SEM micrographs. SAXS analysis revealed the formation of multiple lamellae stacking of PA6 phase in the presence or absence of SMA and MWNT in 20/80 PA6/ABS blends. This was attributed to the formation of less perfect crystallites formed during the cooling of melt at higher degree of supercooling.     

Blends of poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide)/polyamide 6 toughened by maleated polystyrene‐based copolymers: Mechanical properties,morphology, and rheology

Poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide)/polyamide 6 (PPO/PA6 30/70) blends were impact modified by addition of three kinds of maleated polystyrene‐based copolymers, i.e., maleated styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene copolymer (SEBS‐g‐MA), maleated methyl methacrylate‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer (MBS‐g‐MA), and maleated acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer (ABS‐g‐MA). The mechanical properties, morphology and rheological behavior of the impact modified PPO/PA6 blends were investigated. The selective location of the maleated copolymers in one phase or at interface accounted for the different toughening effects of the maleated copolymer, which is closely related to their molecular structure and composition. SEBS‐g‐MA was uniformly dispersed in PPO phase and greatly toughened PPO/PA6 blends even at low temperature. MBS‐g‐MA particles were mainly dispersed in the PA6 phase and around the PPO phase, resulting in a significant enhancement of the notched Izod impact strength of PPO/PA6 blends from 45 J/m to 281 J/m at the MBS‐g‐MA content of 20 phr. In comparison, the ABS‐g‐MA was mainly dispersed in PA6 phase without much influencing the original mechanical properties of the PPO/PA6 blend. The different molecule structure and selective location of the maleated copolymers in the blends were reflected by the change of rheological behavior as well. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Blends of polyamide 6 and bisphenol-A polycarbonate. Effects of interchange reactions on morphology and mechanical properties

Blends of polyamide 6 (PA6) and polycarbonate (PC) were prepared in a Brabender mixer, at 240°C, applying long mixing time, for 45 min. It was observed that the morphology and the mechanical properties tend to resemble those of a homogeneous material as the mixing time and PA6 concentration increase. This is attributed to chemical reactions taking place between the two homopolymers. Acidolysis, amidolysis, and aminolysis, catalyzed by the terminals and the amide groups of the polyamide, should in principle be possible. Our results indicate that the aminolysis is the main process, inducing simultaneously scission of PC chains and formation of PC-PA6 copolymer chains. The latter act as interfacial agents between incompatible PA6 and PC, improving the mechanical properties of PA6-rich blends, in agreement with the predictions of some theoretical models assuming good phase interpenetration. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Relationship between structure and properties in high‐performance PA6/SEBS‐g‐MA/(PPO/PS) blends: The role of PPO and PS

This work aimed at studying the role of poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) and polystyrene (PS) in toughening polyamide‐6 (PA6)/styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA) blends. The effects of weight ratio and content of PPO/PS on the morphology and mechanical behaviors of PA6/SEBS‐g‐MA/(PPO/PS) blends were studied by scanning electron microscope and mechanical tests. Driving by the interfacial tension and the spreading coefficient, the “core–shell” particles formed by PPO/PS (core) and SEBS‐g‐MA (shell) played the key role in toughening the PA6 blends. As PS improved the distribution of the “core–shell” particles due to its low viscosity, and PPO guaranteed the entanglement density of the PPO/PS phase, the 3/1 weight ratio of PPO/PS supplied the blends optimal mechanical properties. Within certain range, the increased content of PPO/PS could supply more efficient toughening particles and bring better mechanical properties. Thus, by adjusting the weight ratio and content of PPO and PS, the PA6/SEBS‐g‐MA/(PPO/PS) blends with excellent impact strength, high tensile strength, and good heat deflection temperature were obtained. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45281.     

The vibration welding of poly(butylene terephthalate) and a polycarbonate/poly(butylene terephthalate) blend to each other and to other resins and blends

Vibration welding is used to assess the weldability of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and a polycarbonate/poly(butylene terephthalate) blend (PC/PBT) to each other and to other resins and blends: PBT to PC/PBT, PBT to modified poly(phenylene oxide) (M-PPO), PBT to polyetherimide (PEI) and PEI to a 65 wt% mineral-filled polyester blend (65-PF-PEB), PBT to a poly(phenylene oxide)/polyamide blend (PPO/PA), PC/PBT to M-PPO, and PC/PBT to PPO/PA. Based on the tensile strength of the weaker of the two materials in each pair, the following relative weld strengths have been demonstrated: PBT to PC/PBT,98%; PBT to PEI, 95%; 65-PF-PEB to PEI, 92%; and PC/PBT to M-PPO, 73%. PBT neither welds to M-PPO nor to PPO/PA, and PC/PBT does not weld to PPO/PA.     

Blends of polyamide 6 and epichlorohydrin elastomers. II. Thermal,dynamic mechanical,and mechanical properties

The mechanical blending of polyamide 6 and epichlorohydrin elastomers, polyepichlorohydrin, PEPI, and poly(epichlorohydrin‐co‐ethylene oxide), ECO, is accompanied by grafting copolymerization. In this work the influence of the graft copolymer on the thermal and mechanical properties of the blends is investigated. The blends are immiscible and the crystallinity degree normalized to the polyamide 6 contents in the blends is higher than expected. The X‐ray diffraction results show that the grafting copolymer is also crystalline; hence, the presence of crystalline phase of copolymer can be responsible for the apparent enhancement of crystallinity. The DMA analysis reveals the presence of a shoulder in the peak corresponding to the PA 6 glass transition, as observed by loss modulus curves, which was assigned to relaxations of the grafting copolymer. Tensile tests show that the blends are more fragile than the PA 6, despite the graft copolymer. These results were attributed to the mechanical fragile interface constituted by a network type structure of the graft copolymer. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1835–1841, 1999     

Application of styrene‐acrylonitrile random copolymer–polyarylate block copolymer as reactive compatibilizer for polyamide and acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene blends

Styrene‐acrylonitrile random copolymer (SAN) and polyarylate (PAr) block copolymer were applied as a reactive compatibilizer for polyamide‐6 (PA‐6)/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) copolymer blends. The SAN–PAr block copolymer was found to be effective for compatibilization of PA‐6/ABS blends. With the addition of 3.0–5.0 wt % SAN–PAr block copolymer, the ABS‐rich phase could be reduced to a smaller size than 1.0 μm in the 70/30 and 50/50 PA‐6/ABS blends, although it was several microns in the uncompatibilized blends. As a result, for the blends compatibilized with 3–5 wt % block copolymer the impact energy absorption reached the super toughness region in the 70/30 and 50/50 PA‐6/ABS compositions. The compatibilization mechanism of PA‐6/ABS by the SAN–PAr block copolymer was investigated by tetrahydrofuran extraction of the SAN–PAr block copolymer/PA‐6 blends and the model reactions between the block copolymer and low molecular weight compounds. The results of these experiments indicated that the SAN–PAr block copolymer reacted with the PA‐6 during the melt mixing process via an in situ transreaction between the ester units in the PAr chain and the terminal amine in the PA‐6. As a result, SAN–PAr/PA‐6 block copolymers were generated during the melt mixing process. The SAN–PAr block copolymer was supposed to compatibilize the PA‐6 and ABS blend by anchoring the PAr/PA‐6 and SAN chains to the PA‐6 and ABS phases, respectively. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2300–2313, 2002     

PPO–PC block‐copolymers used as compatibilizers in PS/PC blends

Block‐copolymers containing poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (PPO) and polycarbonate of bisphenol A (PC) segments were employed as compatibilizers in polystyrene (PS)/PC blends. Block‐copolymers were prepared starting from oligomeric diols‐terminated PPO and PC. The poly(phenylene ethers) was obtained by oxidative coupling of 2,6‐dimethyl‐phenol in presence of tetramethyl bisphenol A. The copolymers were obtained with a chain extension reaction between the starting oligomers using bischloroformate of bisphenol A or phosgene as coupling agent. PS/PC blends, cast from chloroform solutions or mixed by melt, were studied by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), dynamic‐mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and optical microscopy (OP). The thermal and morphological analyses showed a clear compatibilization effect between PS and PC, if PPO–PC copolymer is added when blending is performed in the melt; in addition, also mechanical properties are increased when compared with blends without PPO–PC. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4654–4660, 2006     

Improvement of polyamide/thermoplastic polyurethane blends with polyamide 6-polyurethane copolymer prepared via suspension polymerization as compatibilizer

The polyamide 6-polyurethane copolymer (PA6-b-PU-b-PA6) was synthesized through anionic suspension polymerization and then mixed with polyamide 6/thermoplastic polyurethane (PA6/TPU) and polyamide 6, 6/thermoplastic polyurethane (PA66/TPU) blends using as the compatibilizer. The results show that the PA6-b-PU-b-PA6 copolymers powders several can be obtained through suspension polymerization using dimethicone as disperse medium. The average diameter of PA6-b-PU-b-PA6 copolymer powders decreased with the increasing of PU content. With the addition of PA6-b-PU-b-PA6, the TPU phase dispersed more uniformly in PA6 or PA66 matrix, and the size of TPU dispersed phase decreased obviously. The PA6-b-PU-b-PA6 copolymer with higher PU content shows better compatibilizing effect. Addition of PA6-b-PU-b-PA6 can improve both strength and toughness of the PA/TPU blends. When the amount of PA6-PU25% copolymer was 5 phr, the tensile strength and notched impact strength of PA6/TPU/PA6-PU25% blends increased 29 and 159.4%, respectively, compared to the PA6/TPU blend without compatibilizer.     

Recycling of blends of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and polyamide

The aim of this work is to evaluate routes to upgrade recycled engineering plastics, especially mixed plastics with acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymers (ABS) as the major component. A core‐shell impact modifier was successfully used to improve the impact strength of blends of ABS and ABS/polycarbonate (PC) blends recycled from the automotive industry. However, the presence of other immiscible components like polyamide (PA), even in small amounts, can lead to a deterioration in the overall properties of the blends. A styrene–maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer and other commercial polymer blends were used to promote the compatibilization of ABS and PA. The core‐shell impact modifier was again found to be an efficient additive with regard to the impact strength of the compatibilized ABS/PA blends. The results obtained with fresh material blends were quite promising. However, in blends of recycled ABS and glass‐fiber‐reinforced PA, the impact strength did not exhibit the desired behavior. The presence of poorly bonded glass fibers in the blend matrix was the probable reason for the poor impact strength compared with that of a blend of recycled ABS and mineral‐filled PA. Although functionalized triblock rubbers (SEBS–MA) can substantially enhance the impact strength of PA, they did not improve the impact strength of ABS/PA blends because the miscibility with ABS is poor. The possibilities of using commercial polymer blends to compatibilize otherwise incompatible polymer mixtures were also explored giving promising results. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2535–2543, 2002     

Polyamide‐6/high‐density polyethylene blend using recycled high‐density polyethylene as compatibilizer: Morphology,mechanical properties,and thermal stability

Blends of polyamide‐6 (PA6) or postindustry polyamide‐6 (piPA6) and high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) or recycled high‐density polyethylene (rHDPE) were processed in single and twin‐screw extruders. The use of rHDPE in the blends promotes a significant decrease of size domains and improvement in the mechanical properties. The thermal stability was also slightly improved compared with PA6 and HDPE blends. The Molau test exhibited a stable emulsion in formic acid, which can be attributed to the formation of an interfacial copolymer involving polar amino end groups of PA6 and the rHDPE, respectively. These results indicate that recycled polymers can be used in the production of polymer blends with improved properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Polymer blends of polyamide-6 and poly(phenylene oxide) compatibilized by styrene-co-glycidyl methacrylate

Incompatible polymer blends between polyamide-6 (PA6) and poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) have been compatibilized in situ by the styrene-glycidyl methacrylate (SG) reactive copolymers. The epoxy functional groups in SG copolymers can react with the PA6 amine and carboxylic endgroups at interface to form various SG-g-PA6 copolymers. These in situ-formed grafted copolymers tend to anchor along interface to function as compatibilizer of the blends. The styrene and the SG segments of the grafted copolymers are miscible (or near miscible) with PPO; whereas the PA6 segments are structurally identical with PA6 phase. The compatibilized blend, depending on quantity of the compatibilizer addition and the glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) content in the SG copolymer, results in smaller phase domain, higher viscosity, and improved mechanical properties. About 5% GMA is the optimum content in SG copolymer that produces the best compatibilization of the blends. This study demonstrates that SG reactive copolymers can be used effectively in compatibilizing polymer blends of PA6 and PPO. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance of the PA6/PC,PA6/PPO,and PA6/PC/PPO blends

The effect of mixing time is very important to plasticization and/or occurrence of chemical reaction between polyamide 6/poly(propylene oxide), polyamide 6/polycarbonate, and polyamide 6/polycarbonate/poly(propylene oxide) blends. The systems were investigated through solid-state carbon-13 cross-polarization magic angle spinning with variable contact time in the NMR experiment. In the systems, polycarbonate can prevent the antiplasticization effect already observed in the polyamide 6/poly(propylene oxide) blend. Therefore, it was verified that the addition of polycarbonate in the polyamide 6/poly(propylene oxide) system causes a hardening of the blend. This fact can be attributed to the restriction of the mobility of the NH group, probably influenced by the type of interaction that occurs in the polyamide 6/polycarbonate/poly(propylene oxide), due to the effect of poly(propylene oxide), which can be act as an interfacial agent promoting a better interaction between polyamide 6 and polycarbonate. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 129–133, 1998     

Polyamide 6/ethylene‐butylene elastomer blends generated via anionic polymerization of ε‐caprolactam: Phase morphology and dynamic mechanical behavior

This paper reports about the polymerization of ε‐caprolactam monomer in the presence of low molecular weight hydroxyl or isocyanate end‐capped ethylene‐butylene elastomer (EB) elastomers as a new concept for the development of a submicron phase morphology in polyamide 6 (PA6)/EB blends. The phase morphology, viscoelastic behavior, and impact strength of the polymerization‐designed blends are compared to those of similar blends prepared via melt‐extrusion of PA6 homopolymer and EB elastomer. Polyamide 6 and EB elastomer were compatibilized using a premade triblock copolymer PA6‐b‐EB‐b‐PA6 or a pure EB‐b‐PA6 diblock reactively generated during melt‐blending (extrusion‐prepared blends) or built‐up via anionic polymerization of ε‐caprolactam on initiating ? NCO groups attached to EB chain ends (polymerization‐prepared blends). Two compatibilization approaches were considered for the polymerization‐prepared blends: (i) the addition of a premade PA6‐b‐EB‐b‐PA6 triblock copolymer to the ε‐caprolactam monomer containing nonreactive EB? OH elastomer and (ii) generation in situ of a PA6‐b‐EB diblock using EB? NCO precursor on which polyamide 6 blocks are built‐up via anionic polymerization of ε‐caprolactam. The noncompatibilized blends exhibit a coarse phase morphology, either in the extruded or the polymerization prepared blends. Addition of premade triblock copolymer (PA6‐b‐EB‐b‐PA6) to a EB? OH /ε‐caprolactam dispersion led to a fine EB phase (0.14 μm) in the PA6 matrix after ε‐caprolactam polymerization. The average particle size of the in situ reactively compatibilized polymerization‐prepared blend is about 1 μm. The notched Izod impact strength of the blend compatibilized with premade triblock copolymer was much higher than that of the neat PA6, the noncompatibilized, and the in situ reactively compatibilized polymerization blends. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 2538–2544, 2004     

Effect of poly [styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene] (SEBS) and maleic anhydride‐grafted SEBS triblock copolymers in immiscible blends of (polyamide‐6)/polycarbonate: Morphology‐mechanical properties relationships

The effects of using maleated poly[styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene] triblock copolymer (SEBS‐g‐MAH) and unmodified SEBS (unSEBS) on the phase morphology and mechanical properties of immiscible polymer blends of polyamide‐6 (PA‐6) and polycarbonate (PC) are investigated. Different binary, ternary, and quaternary blends were prepared by using a Brabender® co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder. The weight ratio of unSEBS to SEBS‐g‐MAH was changed to probe the phase morphology and mechanical properties. The results revealed that the mechanical properties of (PA‐6)/PC/(unSEBS/SEBS‐g‐MAH) blends were considerably governed by the unSEBS to SEBS‐g‐MAH weight ratio. Morphological investigation based on the spreading coefficient concept confirmed the results of scanning electron microscopy, indicating encapsulation of unSEBS domains around the PC core‐forming component in the presence of reactive SEBS‐g‐MAH precursor. Moreover, larger unSEBS‐PC composite droplets appeared throughout PA‐6 matrix upon increasing the ratio of unSEBS to SEBS‐g‐MAH, until reaching a maximum value. In the case of the (PA‐6)/PC blend compatibilized with a 50/50 combination of unSEBS and SEBS‐g‐MAH, the highest mechanical properties, i.e., tensile strength, impact resistance, and strain at break, were achieved owing to compatibilizing effect of virgin and maleated SEBS constituents. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 21:245–252, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation of the HIPS/MA graft copolymer and its compatibilization in HIPS/PA1010 blends

The graft copolymer of high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) grafted with maleic anhydride (MA) (HIPS‐g‐MA) was prepared with melt mixing in the presence of a free‐radical initiator. The grafting reaction was confirmed by infrared analyses, and the amount of MA grafted on HIPS was evaluated by a titration method. 1–5% of MA can be grafted on HIPS. HIPS‐g‐MA is miscible with HIPS. Its anhydride group can react with polyamide 1010 (PA1010) during melt mixing of the two components. The compatibility of HIPS‐g‐MA in the HIPS/PA1010 blends was evident. Evidence of reactions in the blends was confirmed in the morphology and mechanical behavior of the blends. A significant reduction in domain size was observed because of the compatibilization of HIPS‐g‐MA in the blends of HIPS and PA1010. The tensile mechanical properties of the prepared blends were investigated, and the fracture surfaces of the blends were examined by means of the scanning electron microscope. The improved adhesion in a 15% HIPS/75% PA1010 blend with 10% HIPS‐g‐MA copolymer was detected. The morphology of fibrillar ligaments formed by PA1010 connecting HIPS particles was observed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 2017–2025, 1999