Processability of a metallocene-catalyzed linear PE improved by blending with a small amount of UHMWPE

The processability of a metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene blended in the melt with low amounts of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene was evaluated. Our morphological and thermal studies revealed that the blends were structurally heterogeneous, formed by a matrix of metallocene polyethylene and homogeneously distributed particles of ultra-high molecular weight material. The visible particles were smaller than those of the reactor powder. Also observed was some degree of interaction between both phases. Rheological data indicated an intense effect of morphology on viscoelastic functions, beyond that expected for a system composed of noninteractive phases. Collectively, our findings suggest the existence, to some extent, of a homogeneous phase at the molecular level composed of a fraction of ultra-high molecular weight species and metallocene polyethylene. This gives rise to a striking behavior during processing in that the blends show improved extrusion performance the higher their ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene content. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.