Comparison of carboxylated and maleated polypropylene as reactive compatibilizers in polypropylene/polyamide-6,6 blends

Using reactive extrusion, polypropylene is functionalized with maleic anhydride and compared on an equimolar basis to polypropylene that is functionalized with an asymmetric, carboxylic acid containing peroxide. The grafting efficiency for the asymmetric peroxide is double that obtained for the maleic anhydride system. Moreover, the asymmetric peroxide yields a functionalized material with minimal molecular weight degradation and desirable mechanical properties, relative to maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene. In compatibilized blends of polypropylene and nylon 6,6, the polypropylene that was functionalized with the asymmetric peroxide is found to be an improved compatibilizer compared to that of maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene. The differences in mechanical properties of the two different functionalized polypropylene materials and their respective blends are rationalized on the basis of the grafting efficiency, molecular weight degradation during reactive extrusion, and effect of free functional species on the ability to form graft copolymers in compatibilized blends. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 2398–2407, 2001