| Abstract: | In‐situ copolymer formation and compatibilization of immiscible polymers in blends were discovered to occur during ultrasonic‐assisted extrusion in the melt state under high pressures. Residence times were of the order of seconds. The mechanical performance of plastic/rubber and rubber/rubber blends subjected to ultrasonic treatment was significantly enhanced compared to those of identical blends not subjected to ultrasonic treatment and having similar phase morphologies. The appearance of a high molecular weight tail in the rubber/rubber blends, stabilization of phase morphology in the melt state, the presence of a transition interface nanolayer and a decrease in the amount of extractable components in the plastic/rubber blends after ultrasonic‐assisted extrusion point towards the occurrence of in‐situ copolymer formation at the interfaces. |
