Effect of the processing history on the morphology and properties of the ternary blends of nylon 6, a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer, and a functionalized polypropylene

Abstract

Properties of ternary blends of nylon 6 (Ny6), a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP, poly(ester amide), 20 wt%) and a maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (2 wt%) (MAPP) were studied under various processing conditions, TLCP was pre-blended with MAPP first and then the binary one blended again with Ny6. The processing temperature of the second mixing was varied. Thermal properties show the partial miscibility of the ternary blend. The morphology of the TLCP phase in the first blending shows mostly in the fibril bundle shape, but varies between droplets and oriented fibrils after the second processing. Some of TLCP phase lost the fibril morphology during the second processing stage. The morphology variation invokes the change in tensile properties, Low extrusion temperature (270 degreesC) provides more fibril shapes, which are associated with less deformation in the second stage. The processing temperature effect was more evident when the draw ratio was high. High drawing was applicable due to the stabilizing action of the compatibilizer.