Thermal behavior of isotactic poly(propylene)/maleated poly(propylene) blends

This paper analyzes the thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation behavior, phase separation, melting, and crystallization of blends consisting of isotactic poly(propylene) (IPP) and poly(propylene) grafted with maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA). It has been established that, depending on the blend composition and crystallization/preparation procedure, the blends of IPP and PP-g-MA can either co-crystallize or evidence phase separation. This conclusion has been attained by comparing the DSC results of crystallization under dynamic and isothermal conditions with X-ray diffraction results. On the basis of the obtained results, the optimum mixing ratios have been established as 95-85 wt.-% IPP/ 5-15 wt.-% PP-g-MA. Thermo-oxidative behavior has been studied by thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis.