James F. Nangeroni

Reactive Extrusion Compatibilization of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) — Polyolefin Blends

Reactive extrusion compatibilization of highly incompatible blend combinations has been an active area of research for almost two decades. Polyamide-polyolefin reactive extruded blends involving peroxide grafting of anhydride or acid groups onto polyolefin followed by reaction with terminal polyamide amine groups has been well demonstrated as a method for achieving mechanical compatibilization. Poly(vinyl alcohol)-polyolefin blends comprise a combination of polar, hydrophilic polymers with non-polar hydrophobic polymers and expectedly poor mechanical compatibility. A similar procedure involving reactive extrusion grafting of maleic anhydride onto the polyolefin followed by thermoplastic poly(vinyl alcohol) addition allows for anhydride-alcohol reactions and thus compatibilization.