Morphology Evolution in PC/PE Blends with and without Compatibilization During Twin-Screw Extrusion

Abstract

The morphology evolution in polycarbonate/polyethylene (PC/PE) blends with and without compatibilization in a twin-screw extruder was studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effects of screw speed and compatibilizer on the morphology of PC/PE blend during the extrusion were discussed in detail. It was found that the shape and size of the dispersed phase in the uncompatibilized PC/PE blend are both influenced by the screw speed. The evolution of dispersed phase morphology can be affected by increasing screw speed, and the dispersed particle size decreases with the increasing of the screw speed. As a compatibilizer, the addition of the (ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate) copolymer (E-MA-GMA) could accelerate the breakup of the PC dispersed phase and decrease the dispersed particle size. The dispersed droplet size in the PC/PE blend with compatibilization was hard to change at different positions along the screw axis with a higher screw speed. Along with the addition of the compatibilizer, the dispersed particle size was slightly influenced by the screw speed.

Keywords:

• Compatibilization
• Ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (E-MA-GMA)
• Morphology evolution
• PC/PE blend
• Screw speed
• Twin-screw extruder

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the National Natural Science Foundation Commission of China (Grant No: 20874066). We also extend our gratitude to Mr. Li from the Center of Analysis and Test of Sichuan University for careful SEM testing.