Abstract: | The melt free radical grafting of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) was carried out in Brabender internal mixer. The GMA content of the grafted HDPE (HDPE‐g‐GMA) was determined through FTIR by means of a calibration curve. The influence of reaction procedure, radical initiator concentration and addition of a co‐monomer (styrene) on the grafting efficiency was examined. Blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with HDPE and HDPE‐g‐GMA (75/25 w/w) were prepared by melt mixing in internal mixer. The morphology of the blends was then analysed by SEM microscopy. PET/HDPE‐g‐GMA blends displayed improved phase dispersion and interfacial adhesion as compared to unfanctionalized PET/HDPE blend. |