Polymers, 2018, vol 10, 10, pp. 1094
DOI:10.3390/polym10101094
Abstract
Improving the mechanical properties of immiscible PP/PET blend is of practical significance especially in the recycling process of multi-layered plastic solid waste. In this work, a multi-flow vibration injection molding technology (MFVIM) was hired to convert the crystalline morphology of the PP matrix from spherulite into shish-kebab. POE–g–MA was added as compatibilizer, and results showed that the compatibilization effect consisted in the formation of a core-shell structure by dispersing the POE–g–MA into the PP matrix to encapsulate the PET. It was found that the joint action of shish-kebab crystals and spherical core-shell structure enabled excellent mechanical performance with a balance of strength and toughness for samples containing 10 wt % PET and 4 wt % POE–g–MA, of which the yield strength and impact strengths were 50.87 MPa and 13.71 kJ/m2, respectively. This work demonstrates a new approach to optimize mechanical properties of immiscible PP/PET blends, which is very meaningful for the effective recycling of challenging plastic wastes.
