Graft formation and chain scission in blends of polyamide-6 and -6.6 with maleic anhydride containing polymers

The in situ formation of a compatibilizer, consisting of a copolymer of PA grafted onto a maleic anhydride (MA) containing polymer, is essential for the morphology and properties of the corresponding PA blends. In this study four blends, containing PA-6 or PA-6.6 and EPDM-g-MA or poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (SMA; 28 wt % MA), were prepared and characterized. Chemical analyses showed that the amount of PA graft is independent of the blend composition. Going from EPDM-g-MA to SMA the MA content of the original MA-containing polymer increases, which in the corresponding blends results in an increase in the number of PA grafts and a decrease in the length of the PA grafts. In the SMA blends the number averaged molecular weight of the grafted PA is only about 200 g/mol. It is postulated that the water molecule, released upon imide formation at the PA/(MA-containing polymer) interface, hydrolyses a PA amide group, resulting in a new amine end group, which in its turn reacts with the MA-containing polymer, etc. Differential scanning calorimetry shows that the degree of crystallinity of the PA phase is decreased only when the size of the PA phase between the MA-containing polymer domains approaches the PA crystalline lamellar thickness. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 179–188, 1998     

Morphological,rheological, and mechanical properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer/carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber/multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposites

Abstract

A hybrid nanocomposite based on ethylene propylene diene monomer/carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber (EPDM/XSBR) blend with different concentrations (0–7 phr) of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) was prepared on a two-roll mill. The role of grafted maleic anhydride (EPDM-g-MA) as compatibilizer and the effect of different concentrations of MWCNT on mechanical properties, morphology, rheological and curing characteristics of nanocomposites were investigated. The curing behavior of the prepared nanocomposites was studied using a rheometer. Also, the microstructure of nanocomposites was observed using TEM. By increasing the MWCNT concentration in the compatible blends, the curing time and scorch time of the blends decreased, while the maximum and minimum torque increased. Failure surface morphology studies showed that the existence of EPDM-g-MAH compatibilizer improved the distribution of MWCNT within the polymer matrix and uniform distribution of MWCNT with a small amount of aggregation was obtained. On the other hand, the presence of MWCNT in the matrix led to a sharper surface of the fracture. Also, mechanical properties such as modulus, tensile strength, hardness, fatigue, resilience and elongation-at-break for compatible EPDM/XSBR nanocomposite showed better results than those for incompatible composite.     

Impact modification of PA-6 and PBT by epoxy-functionalized rubbers

Glycidylmethacrylate (GMA) grafted apolar (ethylene/propylene/diene - EPDM) and polar (acrylonitrile/butadiene - NBR) rubbers were melt blended with polyamide-6 (PA-6) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The toughness of the blends containing 5, 10 and 50 wt.% epoxy functionalized rubbers was assessed by various methods (notched Charpy, perforation impact) as a function of temperature (T=23 and −40°C). The notched Charpy tests served to deduce the fracture toughness (K_c) and energy (G_c) data. It was established that EPDM-g-GMA is a slightly better impact modifier than is NBR-g-GMA albeit the latter polar rubber is more compatible with both matrices than the less polar EPDM-g-GMA. This finding was traced to the difference in the glass transition temperature (T_g of NBR is higher than that of EPDM) and to the dispersion of the epoxy functionalized rubbers.     

Synergistic effect of SEBS-g-MA and epoxy on toughening of polyamide 6/glass fiber composites

Maleated styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS-g-MA) and epoxy monomer, individually or in combination, are used to toughen polyamide 6/glass fiber composites. The epoxy monomer enhanced interaction between polyamide 6 and glass fiber. SEBS-g-MA rubber is uniformly dispersed in polyamide 6 matrix caused by the preferred compatibilizing reaction between the anhydride group of rubber and the amine terminal group of polyamide 6. The addition of epoxy does not affect the fine dispersion of SEBS-g-MA. Polyamide 6/glass fiber binary composites are brittle. The addition of epoxy monomer alone does not change their brittle features. Similarly, in the absence of epoxy monomer, adding 20 wt % of SEBS-g-MA to polyamide 6/glass fiber composites does not greatly increase the tensile ductility. Only when both SEBS-g-MA and epoxy monomer are present in some combination, do the polyamide 6/glass fiber composites show prominent ductile characteristics, such as stress-whitening and necking. This synergistic effect of epoxy monomer and SEBS-g-MA also imparts higher notched impact strengths to the ternary composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1448–1458, 2007     

Thermogravimetric and wide angle X-ray diffraction analysis of thermoplastic elastomers from nylon copolymer and EPDM rubber

Nylon copolymer (PA6, 66) and ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) blends with and without compatibilizer were prepared by melt mixing using Brabender Plasticorder. The thermal stability of nylon copolymer (PA6, 66)/ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) blends was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The morphology of the blends was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In this work, the effects of blend ratio and compatibilisation on thermal stability and crystallinity were investigated. The incorporation of EPDM rubber was found to improve the thermal stability of nylon copolymer. The kinetic parameters of the degradation process were also studied. A good correlation was observed between the thermal properties and phase morphology of the blends. By applying Coats and Redfern method, the activation energies of various blends were derived from the Thermogravimetric curves. The compatibilization of the blends using EPM-g-MA has increased the degradation temperature and decreased the weight loss. EPM-g-MA is an effective compatibilizer as it increases the decomposition temperature and thermal stability of the blends. Crystallinity of various systems has been studied using wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). The addition of EPDM decreases the crystallinity of the blend systems.     

Influence of chain extension on the compatibilization and properties of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)/linear low density polyethylene blends

Polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (PMDI) was added as chain extender to a blend of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (R-PET) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) with compatibilizer of maleic anhydride-grafted poly(styrene-ethylene/butadiene-styrene) (SEBS-g-MA). Hydroxyl end groups of PET can react with both isocyanate groups of PMDI and maleic anhydride groups of SEBS-g-MA, which are competing reactions during reactive extrusion. The compatibility and properties of the blends with various contents of PMDI were systemically evaluated and investigated. WAXD results and SEM observations indicated that chain extension inhibits the reaction between PET and SEBS-g-MA. As the PMDI content increased, the morphology of dispersed phase changed from droplet dispersion to rodlike shape and then to an irregular structure. The DSC results showed that the crystallinity of PET decreased in the presence of PMDI, and the glass transition temperature (T_g) of PET increased with addition of 0-0.7 w% PMDI. The impact strength of the blend with 1.1 w% PMDI increased by 120% with respect to the blend without PMDI, accompanied by only an 8% tensile strength decrease. It was demonstrated that the chain extension of PET with PMDI in R-PET/LLDPE/SEBS-g-MA blends not only decreased the compatibilization effect of SEBS-g-MA but also hindered the crystallization of PET.     

Flame-retarded mechanism of SEBS/PPO composites modified with mica and resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate)

The flame retardancy of styrene-b-ethylene/butylene-b-styrene triblock polymer (SEBS)/poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) blends was greatly improved by the combined use of mica and resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) (RDP). The limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning and cone calorimeter test were performed to evaluate the flame-retarded effect. The composite of SEBS/PPO/maleic anhydride grafted SEBS (SEBS-g-MAH) with a mass ratio of 11/11/3 passed a V-0 rating in the UL94 test by the addition of 10–15 wt% mica and 15–10 wt% RDP with total amount of 25 wt%. The synergism was confirmed by the mathematical evaluation of the synergistic effect index (SE) in LOI, the residue, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and the total heat evolved (THE) per mass loss (THE/ML). The flame-retarded mechanism of the composite was also proposed on the results of cone calorimeter test, TGA-FTIR, SEM micrographs and SEM/EDS analysis of the residues. It was found that the degradation rate of SEBS/PPO/SEBS-g-MAH matrix was slowed down, a more consolidated char layer with higher residue was promoted by the combination of RDP and mica. The flame-retardancy of RDP with mica in SEBS/PPO/SEBS-g-MAH matrix was synergistic through gas and condensed phase action.     

Thermal, ozone and gamma ageing of styrene butadiene rubber and poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) blends

Ageing behaviour of SBR/EVA blends due to the effects of heat, ozone, and gamma radiation was studied with reference to blend ratio, three crosslinking systems (sulfur, peroxide and mixed) and a compatibiliser (SEBS-g-MA). It was found that an increase in the EVA content of the blends enhanced the ageing characteristics. Among the different crosslinking systems, a peroxide cured system exhibited the best retention of properties even after severe ageing. Tensile strength of peroxide cured SBR/EVA blends increased slightly after ageing for three days at 70 °C due to continued crosslinking, whereas tensile strength of all blends decreased on ageing at 100 °C. Compatibilisation with SEBS-g-MA improved the thermal, gamma and water ageing resistance of SBR/EVA blends.     

马来酸酐接枝氢化苯乙烯-丁二烯嵌段共聚物增韧聚苯醚体系的韧性、亚微相态和流变性能

考察了氢化苯乙烯-丁二烯嵌段共聚弹性体(SEBS)及其马来酸酐接枝共聚物(SEBS-g-MA)增韧聚苯醚(PPO)体系。DSC谱图显示,PPO与SEBS的共混物仅有一个T_g,两者完全相容;PPO与SEBS-g-MA的共混物存在两个T_g,只能达到部分相容。力学性能研究表明,在PPO/SEBS体系中,基体中分散相SEBS的相界面模糊,无法引发基体银纹和剪切屈服,增韧PPO的效果有限;而部分相容的PPO/SEBS-g-MA共混物显示了增韧剂良好的相界面引发基体银纹和剪切屈服的作用,其缺口冲击强度在SEBS-g-MA质量分数为20%时达到1260J/m的超韧性。亚微相态显示,SEBS在PPO中呈现条形分散相的"海岛"结构;而SEBS-g-MA在基体中呈现网络结构。流变性能研究显示,PPO/SEBS共混物的表观粘度均高于PPO,并随SEBS的含量增加而变大;而PPO/SEBS-g-MA则完全相反。     

Dynamically Photocrosslinking of Polypropylene／EPDM Blends as a Thermoplastic Elastomer

The mechanical properties and the crystal morphological structures of the dynamically photocrosslinked polypropylene (PP)/ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) blends have been studied by means of mechanical tests, wide-angle X-ray diffraction(WAXD), and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). The dynamically photocrosslinking of the PP/EPDM blends can improve the mechanical properties considerably, especially the notched Izod impact strength at low temperatures. The data obtained from the mechanical tests show that the notched Izod impact strength of the dynamically photocrosslinked sample with 30% EPDM at -20℃ is about six times that of the uncrosslinked sample with the same EPDM component. The results from the gel content, the results of WAXD, and the DSC measurements reveal the enhanced mechanism of the impact strength for the dynamically photocrosslinked PP/EPDM blends as follows: (1) There exists the crosslinking of the EPDM phase in the photocrosslinked PP/EPDM blends ; (2) The β-type crystal structureof PP is formed and the content of α-type crystal decreases with increasing the EPDM component; (3) The graft copolymer of PP-g-EPDM is formed at the interface between the PP and EPDM components. All the above changes of the crystal morphological structures are favorable for increasing the compatibility and enhancing the toughness of the PP/EPDM blends at low temperatures.     

Reactive melt blends of thermoplastic polyolefins,MAH‐g‐PP and nylon 6

Reactive melt blends of an ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM) based thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAH‐g‐PP), and nylon 6 were prepared in a single screw extruder and evaluated in terms of morphological, rheological, thermal, dynamic mechanical, and mechanical properties of the blends. It was found that MAH‐g‐PP‐co‐nylon 6 copolymers were in situ formed and acted as effective compatibilizers for polypropylene (PP) and nylon 6. Phase separation of PP and EPDM in TPE increased with the addition and increasing amount of MAH‐g‐PP and nylon 6, leading to decreased glass transition temperature (T_g) of TPE and increased crystalline melting temperature (T_m) of PP. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of PPO‐g‐MA on structures and properties of PPO/PA6/short glass fiber composites

Poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide)/polyamide 6 (PPO/PA6) blends were reactively compatibilized by maleic anhydride (MA) grafted PPO (PPO‐g‐MA) and reinforced by short glass fibers (SGF) via melt extrusion. An observation of the SGF‐polymer interface by scanning electronic microscope (SEM) together with etching techniques indicated that the PPO‐g‐MA played a decisive role in the adhesion of polymers to SGF. The rheological behavior was investigated by capillary rheometer, and the addition of PPO‐g‐MA, and SGF could increase the viscosity of the PPO/PA6 blends. The analysis of fiber orientation and distribution in the PPO/PA6/SGF composites showed PPO‐g‐MA favored to the random dispersion of SGF. The statistic analysis of SGF length showed that PPO‐g‐MA was helpful to maintain the fiber length during melt‐processing. For the composites at a given SGF content of 30 wt %, the addition of PPO‐g‐MA increased the tensile strength from 59.4 MPa to 97.1 MPa and increased SGF efficiency factor from 0.028 to 0.132. The experimental data were consistent with the theoretical predictions of the extension of Kelly‐Tyson model for tensile strength. The fracture toughness of the composites was investigated by single edge notch three‐point bending test. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2188–2197, 2009     

Toughening effect of ethylene‐vinyl acetate rubber on nylon 1010 compatibilized by maleated ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymers

The toughening effect of ethylene‐vinyl acetate rubbers (EVM) with maleated ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA‐g‐MAH) on the nylon 1010 was investigated. The addition of 5 phr (per hundred nylon 1010) EVM increased the elongation at break of nylon 1010 to a great extent. The notched Izod impact strength of nylon/EVM blends increased with increasing EVM content. Scanning electron microscope showed that the EVM particle size was around 0.5 μm when the EVM content was 5 phr and increased with increasing EVM content. After the addition of EVA‐g‐MAH to nylon/EVM (100/20) blend, the average diameter of EVM particles decreased from more than 1 μm to 0.5–0.6 μm. EVA‐g‐MAH could improve the adhesion between nylon 1010 and EVM. A sharp brittle‐ductile transition (BDT) was observed when the interparticle distance was about 0.2 μm, independent of the addition of EVA‐g‐MAH. The notched Izod impact strength of nylon/EVM blends at low temperatures was measured and the BDT shifted toward low temperatures with increasing EVM or EVA‐g‐MAH content. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 434–444, 2009     

Correlation of Morphology Evolution with Superior Mechanical Properties in PA6/PS/PP/SEBS Blends Compatibilized by Multi-phase Compatibilizers

In this study,the maleic anhydride(MAH)and styrene(St)dual monomers grafted polypropylene(PP)and poly[styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene](SEBS),i.e.PP-g-(MAH-co-St)and SEBS-g-(MAH-co-St)are prepared as multi-phase compatibilizers and used to compatibilize the PA6/PS/PP/SEBS(70/10/10/10)model quaternary blends.Both PS and SEBS are encapsulated by the hard shell of PP-g-(MAH-co-St)in the dispersed domains(about 2μm)of the PA6/PS/PP-g-(MAH-co-St)/SEBS(70/10/10/10)quaternary blend.In contrast,inside the dispersed domains(about 1μm)of the PA6/PS/PP/SEBS-g-(MAH-co-St)(70/10/10/10)quaternary blend,the soft SEBS-g-(MAH-co-St)encapsulates both the hard PS and PP phases and separates them.With increasing the content of the compatibilizers equally,the morphology of the PA6/PS/(PP+PP-g-(MAH-co-St))/(SEBS+SEBS-g-(MAH-co-St))(70/10/10/10)quaternary blends evolves from the soft(SEBS+SEBS-g-(MAH-co-St))encapsulating PS and partially encapsulating PP(about 1μm),then to PS exclusively encapsulated by the soft SEBS-g-(MAH-co-St)and then separated by PP-g-(MAH-co-St)inside the smaller domains(about 0.6μm).This morphology evolution has been well predicted by spreading coefficients and explained by the reaction between the matrix PA6 and the compatibilizers.The quaternary blends compatibilized by more compatibilizers exhibit stronger hierarchical interfacial adhesions and smaller dispersed domain,which results in the further improved mechanical properties.Compared to the uncompatibilized blend,the blend with both 10 wt%PP-g-(MAH-co-St)and 10 wt%SEBS-g-(MAH-co-St)has the best mechanical properties with the stress at break,strain at break and impact failure energy improved significantly by 97%,71%and 261%,respectively.There is a strong correlation between the structure and property in the blends.     

Reactive functionalization of poly(lactic acid), PLA: Effects of the reactive modifier,initiator and processing conditions on the final grafted maleic anhydride content and molecular weight of PLA

A response surface methodology (RSM) design was used to analyze the effects of maleic anhydride (MA) and 2,5-bis(tert-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethyl hexane (Luperox or L101) content, and TSE screw speed on the degree of grafted MA (MA_g) and number average molecular weight (M_n) of maleated PLA (PLA-g-MA), which can be used as a reactive compatibilizer in production of PLA blends with various components. PLA-g-MA's FTIR peaks indicated that MA was grafted onto the PLA backbone and oligomeric MA was also present. A maximum of 0.52 wt% MA_g determined by titration was achieved at the expense of a 50% reduction of M_n and an increase in the polydispersity index to around 2.0. Generally, increasing L101 increased the degree of grafting and decreased M_n. L101 and MA_g had a large effect on the stability of PLA-g-MA's M_n during storage. Nominally, amounts of MA equal to 4.5 wt%, L101 between 0.45 and 0.65 wt%, and screw speed of 20 rpm provided the optimal conditions for grafting MA onto PLA.     

Toughening of nylon‐6 with epoxy‐functionalized acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer

Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) functionalized acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) copolymers have been prepared via an emulsion polymerization process. The epoxy‐functionalized ABS (e‐ABS) particles were used to toughen nylon‐6. Molau tests and FTIR results showed the reactions between nylon‐6 and e‐ABS have taken place. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) displayed the compatibilization reaction between epoxy groups of e‐ABS and nylon‐6 chain ends (amine or carboxyl groups), which improve disperse morphology of e‐ABS in the nylon‐6 matrix. The presence of only a small amount of GMA (1 wt %) within the e‐ABS copolymer was sufficient to induce a pronounced improvement of the impact strength of nylon‐6 blends; whereas further increase of the GMA contents in e‐ABS resulted in lower impact strength because of the crosslinking reaction between nylon‐6 and e‐ABS, resulting in agglomeration of the ABS particles. SEM results showed shear yielding of the nylon‐6 matrix and cavitation of rubber particles were the major toughening mechanisms. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2170–2180, 2005     

PLA maleation: an easy and effective method to modify the properties of PLA/PCL immiscible blends

In this study, maleic-anhydride-grafted polylactide (PLA-g-MA) was investigated as a potential compatibilizing agent for the polylactide (PLA)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) system, with the aim of enhancing the final properties of the two polymer blends. Indeed, PLA-g-MA was prepared via reactive blending through a free radical process and characterized by means of ¹H-NMR and titration measurements, which demonstrated that the employed procedure allows grafting 0.7 wt% of MA onto the polymer backbone, while avoiding a dramatic reduction of PLA molecular mass. The specific effect of the MA-grafted PLA on the features of the PLA/PCL system was highlighted by adding different amounts of PLA-g-MA to 70:30 (w/w) PLA/PCL blends, where the 70 % PLA component was progressively substituted by its maleated modification. The efficiency of PLA-g-MA as a compatibilizer for the PLA/PCL blends was assessed through SEM analysis, which showed that the dimensions of PCL domains decrease and their adhesion to PLA improves by increasing the amount of PLA-g-MA in the blends. The peculiar microstructure promoted by the presence of PLA-g-MA was found to enhance the mechanical properties of the blend, improving the elongation at break without decreasing its Young’s modulus. Our study demonstrated that not only the microstructure but also the thermal properties of the blends were significantly affected by the replacement of PLA with PLA-g-MA.     

Effects of SEBS-g-BTAI on the morphology, structure and mechanical properties of PA6/SEBS blends

Styrene-b-(ethylene-co-1-butene)-b-styrene (SEBS) triblock copolymer functionalized with ε-caprolactam blocked allyl (3-isocyanate-4-tolyl) carbamate (SEBS-g-BTAI) was used to toughen polyamide 6 (PA6) via reactive blending. Compared to the PA6/SEBS blends, mechanical properties such as tensile strength, Young’s modulus, especially Izod notched strength of PA6/SEBS-g-BTAI blends were improved distinctly. Both rheological and FTIR results indicated a new copolymer formed by the reaction of end groups of PA6 and isocyanate group regenerated in the backbone of SEBS-g-BTAI. Smaller dispersed particle sizes with narrower distribution were found in PA6/SEBS-g-BTAI blends, via field emitted scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The core-shell structures with PS core and PEB shell were also observed in the PA6/SEBS-g-BTAI blends via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which might improve the toughening ability of the rubber particles.     

Increased covalent conjugation of a model antigen to poly(lactic acid)-g-maleic anhydride nanoparticles compared to bare poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles

Maleic anhydride (MA) grafted poly(lactic acid) (PLA) (PLA-g-MA) was synthesized from PLA. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed the grafting of the MA. PLA-g-MA and PLA were used to prepare polymeric nanoparticles. Particle size distributions were measured by dynamic light scattering, and colloidal stability was determined by (zeta) ζ-potential. The ζ-potential becomes more negative for PLA-g-MA than PLA nanoparticle dispersions, due to the presence of deprotonated carboxylic acid groups on the backbone of the PLA and confirms the MA grafting results. Maleic anhydride grafted on PLA backbone improves the covalent conjugation with ovalbumin (OVA) compared to OVA physically adsorbed on the particles. The chemical conjugation was carried out via amide linkages between the carboxylic groups of the nanoparticles, activated with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide, and the amino groups of the protein. The amount of protein conjugated was measured by using the bicinchoninic acid method and is threefold higher compared to the adsorbed OVA. Moreover, the PLA-g-MA nanoparticles increased the amount of conjugated OVA by 36 wt% compared to PLA nanoparticles. OVA adsorption and OVA conjugation provided colloidal dispersions with excellent stability.     

Melt processing of maleic anhydride grafted poly(lactic acid) and its compatibilizing effect on poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-terephthalate) blend and their composite

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends were prepared using melt processing. The effects of maleic anhydride grafted PLA (PLA-g-MA) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) content on mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of the blends were investigated. PLA-g-MA was synthesized by varying monomer and initiator contents using a reactive melt-grafting process. Tensile properties of PLA/PBAT blend were enhanced with adding 2 phr of PLA-g-MA. SEM micrographs exhibited the improvement of interfacial adhesion between PLA and PBAT in the compatibilized blend. Moreover, thermal stability of the blends improved with presence of PLA-g-MA. With increasing CaCO₃ content, Young’s modulus of the composites increased.