| Summary: | The effect of different compositions of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and low density
polyethylene (LDPE) blends (20/80, 50/50, 80/20 of PBT/LDPE) and the effect of
different amounts (5, 10 and 15 wt%) of poly (ethylene -co- methyl acrylate -co- glycidyl
methacrylate) (EMAGMA) terpolymer and polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride (PEg-
MA) as compatibilizers on the mechanical and morphological properties of PBT/LDPE
blends were investigated. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) showed
two phase morphology with poor interaction between the phases. Based on mechanical
properties, 80PBT/20LDPE exhibited the highest tensile strength and modulus and it was
considered as the optimum blend system. Incorporation of EMAGMA or PE-g-MA as
compatibilizer in the 80PBT/20LDPE blend showed improvement in impact strength but
reduction in tensile strength. However, 80PBT/20LDPE blend with EMAGMA have
better mechanical properties compared with the blend with PE-g-MA, even though the
mechanical properties lowered than uncompatibilized 80PBT/20LDPE blend. FESEM
study indicated less phase separation suggesting better interaction between the
components in PBT/LDPE/EMAGMA blends compared with the PBT/LDPE/PE-g-MA
blends. In conclusion, EMAGMA is considered as a better compatibilizer compared with
PE-g-MA, but it could not act as an effective compatibilizer for the PBT/LDPE blend
system at low content.
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