Compatibilization of PE/PS and PP/PS blends by Friedel-Crafts reaction. Catalyst effect on chain scission reactions (2 pag.)

MONICA F. DIAZ; SILVIA E. BARBOSA; NUMA J. CAPIATI

Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

Congreso; MACRO 2006 - World Polymer Congress - 41st International Symposium on Macromolecules; 2007

Associacao Brsileira de Polimeros

Blending of different thermoplastic polymers usually results in segregated and low value materials for almost any mixing condition. Nevertheless, a synergetic combination of properties can be obtained by an adequate compatibilization via reactive blending. Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction (FC) has demonstrated to be a good method for polyolefin/PS blend compatibilization. Notwithstanding, undesirable secondary reactions (chain scission) were detected. In the present work, the effects of the FC catalyst system, AlCl3/styrene, onto the homopolymers were studied in order to determine the catalyst concentration range that can be applied to PE/PS and PP/PS compatibilization, avoiding mechanical property detriment due to chain scission.