PET/PP blending by using PP‐g‐MA synthesized by solid phase

In attempts to improve the compatibility of polypropylene (PP) with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a maleic anhydride grafted PP (PP‐g‐MA) was evaluated as a compatibilizer in a blend of 30/70 wt % PP/PET. PP‐g‐MA was produced from isotactic homopolymer PP utilizing the technique of solid phase graft copolymerization. Qualitative confirmations of the grafting were made by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Three different weight percent of compatibilizer, PP‐g‐MA, i.e., 5, 10, and 15 wt % have been used in PP/PET blends. The compatibilizing efficiency for PP/PET blend was examined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of crycrofractured surfaces, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectrum (EDAX). The results show that the grafted PP promotes a fine dispersed phase morphology, improves processability, and modifies the crystallization behavior of the polyester component. These effects are attributed to enhance phase interaction resulting in reduced interfacial tension. Also, the results show that the compatibilizing effects of the three amounts of grafted PP in blend are different and dependent on the amount used. Adding 10 wt % of compatibilizer into blend produced the finest dispersed morphology. Elemental analysis results show that PP is matrix. DSC determination revealed that the melting temperature (T_m) of the PET component declined to some extent by comparison with neat PET. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104, 3986–3993, 2007