| Abstract: | Poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polypropylene (PET/PP) were compounded and pelletized with a single-screw extruder. Standard ASTM tensile test specimens were made by injection moulding. The blends are stronger and stiffer than the plain PP specimens. The addition of a compatibilizer, EPOLENE E-43, is found to improve the strength and stiffness of the blends at loadings of 50% and 70% PET. At 10% PET loading, E-43 has the opposite effect of slightly reducing the tensile properties. All the blends are more brittle relative to either plain PET or PP. The addition of E-43 results in negligible improvement in the elongation at break. E-43 is also found to be an effective lubricant in improving the processability of the blends. The blends with E-43 added have lower viscosities and less shear-thinning characteristics than those without E-43. © 1997 SCI. |
