Effect of Ethylene Copolymers as Polymeric Compatibilizers for LDPE and PDMS Rubber Blends

Abstract

The effect of different ethylene copolymers such as ethylenemethyl acrylate (EMA), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene acrylic acid(EAA) and an ionomer (Lotek-4200) as compatibilizers for 75: 25 blends of lowdensity polyethylene (LDPE) and poly dimethyl siloxane rubber (PDMS) havebeen studied. The results are based on physico-mechanical properties, thermalanalysis, phase morphology, dynamic mechanical properties and X-raydiffraction (XRD) studies. It has been observed that mechanical properties of theblends improve with the incorporation of compatibilizers. A study of lap shearadhesion strength of the blend shows an increase in adhesion strength as thecompatibilizer concentration is increased in the system up to a certain level ofcompatibilizers. Phase morphology studies by scanning electron microscope(SEM), show a reduced domain size (2–5 mm) for the compatibilized blend.Dynamic mechanical analysis also supports the strong interaction of thecompatibilizer with the blend constituents. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates anincrease in thermal stability of the blends with the addition of compatibilizers.