KINETIC-STUDIES AND PROCESS ANALYSIS OF THE REACTIVE COMPATIBILIZATION OF NYLON-6 POLYPROPYLENE BLENDS

This article describes a study on the reactive compatibilization of nylon 6 (N6) and polypropylene (PP) blends through a functionalized PP. A graft copolymer was formed in-situ by reacting an acid modified PP with N6 during blend compounding. The compatibilization reactions are studied in detail. Kinetics were estimated by means of experiments in a batch mixer. Three time constants were estimated, corresponding to a) reactions, b) melting of polymers, and c) melt mixing. The effects of temperature and rotor speed on the reaction kinetics were also measured. There was a substantial increase in initial reaction rate, as the rotor speed was increased. Increasing the temperature did not significantly affect the reaction rate. Process parameters important for such a reactive compatibilization process were identified by statistically designed experiments in a co-rotating intermeshing twin-screw extruder. Screw speed, presence of venting, and sequence of feeding were shown to have a noticeable effect on the reactive compatibilization process during continuous compounding.