Interfacial tension of compatibilized blends of LDPE and PA6: the breaking thread method

The interfacial tension of the uncompatibilized and compatibilized blends of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyamide 6 (PA6) has been measured by the breaking thread method. Different types of compatibilizer precursors have been used: poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) (Escor 5001, by Exxon) having 6 wt% concentration of acrylic acid; an ethylene-acrylic acid zinc ionomer (Iotek 4200); a triblock copolymer with polystyrene end blocks and a rubbery poly(ethylene–butylene mid block (SEBS) (Kraton G 1652); and SEBS-g-MA (Kraton FG 1901X) with 2 wt% maleic anhydride. The compatibilizing efficiency of the different types of the compatibilizer precursors towards the blends has been evaluated quantitatively by the values of the interfacial tension obtained. It has been shown that Iotek and SEBS-g-MA posses the highest compatibilizing efficiency, demonstrated by the strongest decrease of the interfacial tension and the dimension of the droplets of the dispersed phase. Contrary, SEBS almost does not influence the interfacial tension and the size of the particles. Hence, it possesses the lowest compatibilizing activity towards the blends. The compatibilizer Escor displays an activity lower than that of Iotek and SEBS-g-MA, but it is higher than that of SEBS.