Toughening of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)/glass fiber blends with ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate copolymer and maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene-octene rubber

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2008-09, Vol.109 (5), p.2795-2801
• Main Authors: Cheng, Hongyuan, Tian, Ming, Zhang, Liqun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; blends; compatibility; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; impact resistance; polyesters; Polymer industry, paints, wood; reinforcement; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.27564

The aim of this study was to improve the toughness of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/glass fiber (GF) blends through the addition of ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (EBAGMA) and maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene-octene (POE-g-MAH) individually. The morphology and mechanical properties of the ternary blend were also examined in this study. EBAGMA was more effective in toughening recycled PET/GF blends than POE-g-MAH; this resulted from its better compatibility with PET and stronger fiber/matrix bonding, as indicated by scanning electron microscopy images. The PET/GF/EBAGMA ternary blend had improved impact strength and well-balanced mechanical properties at a loading of 8 wt % EBAGMA. The addition of POE-g-MAH weakened the fiber/matrix bonding due to more POE-g-MAH coated on the GF, which led to weakened impact strength, tensile strength, and flexural modulus. According to dynamic rheometer testing, the use of both EBAGMA and POE-g-MAH remarkably increased the melt storage modulus and dynamic viscosity. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the addition of EBAGMA lowered the crystallization rate of the PET/GF blend, whereas POE-g-MAH increased it.