Comparative study of maleated and glycidyl methacrylate functionalized terpolymers as compatibilizers for low-density polyethylene-wood flour composites

Two types of terpolymers, maleic anhydride (MA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) functionalized, are used as compatibilizer in low‐density polyethylene–wood flour composites. The type and amount of compatibilizer on the tensile, impact, morphological, and water absorption properties of composites are investigated. The effect of preimpregnation with a compatibilizer solution is also studied. The MA functionalized compatibilizer increases the mechanical properties of composites, when it is used either directly or with preimpregnation. GMA functionalized compatibilizer is not as effective as MA functionalized compatibilizer giving rise to small improvements in properties. An important point is doubling of the modulus with MA preimpregnated compatibilizer. With both compatibilizers the water absorption value of composites are reduced and the preimpregnation with both compatibilizers do not change the total amount of absorbed water with respect to the non‐preimpregnated ones. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013