Melt rheology and die swell of PA6/LDPE blends by using lithium ionomer as a compatibilizer

Rheological behavior and die swell in blends of polyamide 6/low-density polyethylene with and without compatibilizers were investigated. The compatibilizers used were copolymers of ethylene and methacrylic acid with and without partial lithium neutralization. The results showed that the apparent viscosity, non-Newtonian index, flow activation energy and die swell of the blend are affected by the compatibilizer identity and content. In general, the effects were more significant at low shear rates and lithium-neutralized materials tended to show greater effects than the hydrogen form of the copolymer.