Morphological, Thermal, and Mechanical Characterization of Bio-Based High-Density Polyethylene / Biopolyamide 6.10 Blends Compatibilized with PE and SEBS Functionalized With Maleic Anhydride

This work reports the study of the compatibilization of the blend of biopolyethylene and biopolyamide 6.10, both biobased. In this work, two polymers functionalized with maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA and SEBS-g-MA) were used as compatibilizers of the blend. The blends were prepared in a single screw extruder and subsequently molded by injection. SEM results showed the immiscibility of the Bio-HDPE/PA6.10 blend. With the addition of the compatibilizers, a compatible interface was formed. The DSC results showed changes in the crystallization behavior of the two phases with the addition of compatibilizers. FTIR results suggested that there was a reaction between the maleic anhydride of the compatibilizers and the terminal amino groups of the polyamide. The blend containing PE-g-MA showed greater stiffness, with an increase in the modulus of elasticity in relation to Bio-HDPE, while the blends containing SEBS-g-MA showed excellent resistance to impact and high elongation at break.

Keywords:
Biopolymers; reactive compatibilization; bio-based high-density polyethylene; biopolyamide 6.10; SEBS-g-MA; PE-g-MA