Influence of Reactive Compatibilizer on the Morphology, Rheological, and Mechanical Properties of Recycled Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate)/Polyamide 6 Blends

Abstract

Recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (R-PET) and virgin polyamide 6 (PA6) blends compatibilized with glycidyl methacrylate grafted poly(ethylene-octene) (POE-g-GMA) were melt blended. The morphological, rheological and mechanical properties of the prepared blends were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, rheology, and an electromechanical testing instrument, respectively. All of the blends showed a droplet dispersion type morphology, and the PA6 particle size decreased with increase in the POE-g-GMA concentration. The storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G′′), and complex viscosity (η*) of the blends significantly increased at low frequency with the addition of POE-g-GMA. In addition, ‘‘Cole-Cole’’ plots showed that the elasticity of the blends was also increased by raising the compatibilizer dosage. It was also found that 10 wt% of POE-g-GMA caused 88.46 and 171.05% increments in Charpy impact strength and elongation at break with only a 21.66% decrement in tensile strength.

Keywords:

• glycidyl methacrylate grafted poly(ethylene-octene)
• morphology
• polyamide 6
• reactive compatibilizer
• recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)
• rheology

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Science and Technology Plan Projects of Fujian Province (2012H6005), Key Project of Fujian Department Science and Technology (2013H0017) and the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry (2011–1568).