Influence of phase structure on impact toughening of isotactic polypropylene by metallocene-catalyzed linear low-density polyethylene

In the present study isotactic polypropylene (PP) and metallocene-catalyzed linear low-density polyethylene (mLLDPE) were blended together to obtain thermoplastic materials (compositions) with improved toughness. Structure-property relationships were determined for these compositions with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Special emphasis was made on tracing the morphological features that led to the optimum mechanical performance. A co-continuous type of structure was found to have much superior toughness as compared to a dispersed-matrix structural type, for blends comprised of the same components (PP and mLLDPE). The study showed the fascinating possibility of creating toughened PP blends by inducing a co-continuous structure. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.