The majority of polymer blend systems are only partially compatible systems. The performance of the blend system will be impacted if there is inadequate bonding strength between the blend components, preventing stress and strain from being efficiently conveyed and distributed between the two phases. quite poor. In order to address the compatibility of the polymer mix system, compatibilizer technology must be introduced.

(1) Compatibility chooser

The compatibilizer can be dispersed in two or more copolymers and is either a block copolymer or graft copolymer created by copolymerizing two monomers of the blend polymer, or it comprises a functional group that chemically interacts with the blend’s constituents. Reduce interfacial tension, stop the dispersed phase from coagulating, maintain the established phase structure, and improve the compatibility of two or more polymers are all functions of the copolymer between the mixed polymer surfaces.

In order to have high compatibility, the relative molecular masses of the compatibilizer and the appropriate mix should match. Diblock copolymers often have higher compatibility than triblock copolymers. For instance, mixes made of PE and PP have poor mechanical strength. Its mechanical strength will be decreased if 4% to 8% of PE and PP block copolymer (PE-b-PP) is added to the PE/PP mix as a compatibilizer. One can significantly increase intensity. Another illustration is the compatibilizer function of SEBS in systems for mixing PE/PS, PP/PS, and PET/PE.

(2) The compatibilizer’s function

The compatibilizer serves a similar role to the coupling agent in that it can improve the overall performance of the polymer blend by reducing phase separation, increasing blend system homogeneity, and increasing polymer-polymer compatibility. Reactive and non-reactive compatibilizers are the two main categories.

①The following operations help the non-reactive compatibilizer achieve its effect:

②It is included in the blend system as the third component to lower the interfacial energy between the two phases.

③Faster phase dispersion is encouraged, and re-agglomeration of the dispersed phase is avoided.

Compatibilizer can be added to create the ideal sea-island or sea-sea morphological structure as well as the necessary dispersed phase layered, dispersed phase fibrous, and interpenetrating network structures. For instance: When PEO and other hydrophilic resins, such as ABS, PS, PP, and PVC, are blended together, a lamellar dispersion phase of PEO is created.

Compatibilizer can be added to create the ideal sea-island or sea-sea morphological structure as well as the necessary dispersed phase layered, dispersed phase fibrous, and interpenetrating network structures. For instance: In the PA/HDPE blending method, PEO lamellar dispersion phase is created during the blending of ABS, PS, PP, PVC, and other hydrophobic resins with hydrophilic resin PEO, giving the blend persistent antistatic qualities. The dispersed phase PA may be spread in the blend system as flakes thanks to the application of PE-g-MAH compatibilizer, which also encourages the blend material to have high barrier qualities.

Maleic anhydride on polyethylene or polypropylene graft copolymer is a frequently used compatibilizer that may be used to modify the blending of PE/PA, PP/PA, EPDM/PA, and PP/POE.