Functionalization of LDPE by Melt Grafting with Glycidyl Methacrylate and Reactive Blending with Polyamide-6

Low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) was functionalized by melt radical grafting with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and employed for reactive blending with polyamide‐6 (PA6). The effect of the reaction procedure on the grafting degree of LDPE‐g‐GMA samples (0.5–12.5 wt.‐% GMA) was analyzed as a function of the concentration of GMA monomer, radical initiator (BTP), and addition of styrene as co‐monomer. Optimized grafting conditions were obtained when the amount of the monomer is below 10 wt.‐% and that of peroxide in the range 0.2–0.4 wt.‐%. Binary blends of PA6 with LDPE‐g‐GMA (3.5 wt.‐% GMA) and with LDPE at various compositions (80/20, 67/33, 50/50 wt.‐%) were prepared in an internal mixer and their properties were evaluated by torque, SEM and DSC analyses. Morphological examination by SEM showed a large improvement of phase dispersion and interfacial adhesion in PA6/LDPE‐g‐GMA blends as compared with PA6/LDPE blends. The average diameter of dispersed polyolefin particles was about 0.4 μm for LDPE‐g‐GMA contents