High-energy mechanical alloying of thermoplastic polymers in carbon dioxide

摘要: Abstract High-energy ball milling was performed on low density polyethylene (LDPE) and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) as well 20/80 binary mixture of both polymers. Mechanical alloying carried out at high pressure with carbon dioxide for a short period. The presence CO2 avoids oxidative mechano-chemical degradation polymers enhances the effectiveness milling. effects treatment molecular physical properties single blends intrinsically incompatible were explored by FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, intrinsic viscosity determination solvent fractionation. Structural changes PP PP/LDPE blend observed have strong dependence time. tests confirm an overall improvement in mechanical alloying. Experimental evidences are presented to suggest that high-energy causes self-compatibilization LDPE–iPP breaking iPP polymer chains allowing them recombine neighboring LDPE chains.