| Abstract: | This work deals with the study of PAmXD,6/PP-g-MA blends poly(meta-xylylene adipamide)] and (maleic-anhydride-functionalized-polypropylene) blends. Compatibilization occurs during the blending of the components in a Brabender plastograph at 265 ± 5°C and at a mixing rate of 45 rpm. Kinetic data from the literature indicate that the rate of amine/anhydride reaction is much faster than the rate of amide/anhydride reaction. This interpretation is confirmed by the use of model systems constituted of PAmXD,6 and pyromellitic dianhydride or of PP-g-MA and meta-xylylene diamine. Infrared analyzes of extracted nodules of PAmXD,6/PP-g-MA blends also confirm the extent of the imidization and show that the length of the PAmXD,6 blocks is lower than the free PAmXD,6 one. Segregation mechanisms during the compatibilization are discussed to explain this observation. The structure of the copolymers was deduced from those results and from the previous characterizations of PP-g-MA and PAmXD,6. It consists in a block of PP linked with some blocks of PAmXD,6. The average number of PAmXD,6 blocks depends on the average length of the poly(maleic anhydride) functionality carried on by PP-g-MA. © l997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 901–915, 1997 |
