EFFECTS OF COMPATIBILIZERS ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE/LIGNIN BLENDS

 Low density polyethylene (LDPE)/lignin blends were prepared using melt blending. Two kinds of compatibilizers, ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA) which is softer than LDPE and polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) which is harder than LDPE were used to improve the interfacial adhesion. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to investigate the dispersion of lignin in LDPE matrix. The results showed that both of the compatibilizers could improve the interaction between the low density polyethylene and lignin. However, the effects of the two compatibilizers on the mechanical properties of LDPE/lignin blends were different. The elongation at break of the blends was obviously increased by adding EVA, while significant improvement of tensile strength was observed by adding PE-g-MA. Several theoretical models have been used to further analyze the experimental data, combined with the morphological observation of tensile fractured surfaces by SEM.