Influence of Partial Disentanglement of Macromolecules on the Rheological, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene–Polyethylene Blends
The properties of compatibilized blends of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), having reduced macromolecular entanglements, were studied. The density of PP macromolecular entanglements was controlled by prior disentangling in solution. The polymer ratio in the blend was 4:1 or 1:4. An ethylene...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| author | Justyna Krajenta Magdalena Lipinska Andrzej Pawlak |
| author_facet | Justyna Krajenta Magdalena Lipinska Andrzej Pawlak |
| author_sort | Justyna Krajenta |
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| description | The properties of compatibilized blends of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), having reduced macromolecular entanglements, were studied. The density of PP macromolecular entanglements was controlled by prior disentangling in solution. The polymer ratio in the blend was 4:1 or 1:4. An ethylene–octene copolymer was used as a compatibilizer. The melt blending process resulted in good dispersion of the minority component, with slightly larger inclusions when more disentangled PP was used. Rheological studies confirmed the achievement of different entanglement densities of PP macromolecules in the blends. The partial disentanglement did not affect the thermal stability of the blends. During the isothermal crystallization studies, faster growth of PP spherulites was observed in the blend with reduced entanglements, which also influenced the entire crystallization process. The recovery time of equilibrium entanglement was investigated and it turned out to be 45 min if the blend was annealed at 190 °C, which was shorter than in the analogous homopolymer. Studies of tensile properties showed that in blends with a majority share of polyethylene, the elongation at break increased with the disentanglement of the minority component, due to better bonding of the blend components and thus the reduction in microcavitation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bfc6e1ea8b314183be1989209b2ce9eb |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-bfc6e1ea8b314183be1989209b2ce9eb2025-08-20T02:18:04ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-04-01308178610.3390/molecules30081786Influence of Partial Disentanglement of Macromolecules on the Rheological, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene–Polyethylene BlendsJustyna Krajenta0Magdalena Lipinska1Andrzej Pawlak2Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, 90-363 Lodz, PolandInstitute of Polymer and Dye Technology, Lodz University of Technology, 90-537 Lodz, PolandCentre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, 90-363 Lodz, PolandThe properties of compatibilized blends of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), having reduced macromolecular entanglements, were studied. The density of PP macromolecular entanglements was controlled by prior disentangling in solution. The polymer ratio in the blend was 4:1 or 1:4. An ethylene–octene copolymer was used as a compatibilizer. The melt blending process resulted in good dispersion of the minority component, with slightly larger inclusions when more disentangled PP was used. Rheological studies confirmed the achievement of different entanglement densities of PP macromolecules in the blends. The partial disentanglement did not affect the thermal stability of the blends. During the isothermal crystallization studies, faster growth of PP spherulites was observed in the blend with reduced entanglements, which also influenced the entire crystallization process. The recovery time of equilibrium entanglement was investigated and it turned out to be 45 min if the blend was annealed at 190 °C, which was shorter than in the analogous homopolymer. Studies of tensile properties showed that in blends with a majority share of polyethylene, the elongation at break increased with the disentanglement of the minority component, due to better bonding of the blend components and thus the reduction in microcavitation.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/8/1786polypropylene–polyethylene blendsentanglementscrystallization |
| spellingShingle | Justyna Krajenta Magdalena Lipinska Andrzej Pawlak Influence of Partial Disentanglement of Macromolecules on the Rheological, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene–Polyethylene Blends Molecules polypropylene–polyethylene blends entanglements crystallization |
| title | Influence of Partial Disentanglement of Macromolecules on the Rheological, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene–Polyethylene Blends |
| title_full | Influence of Partial Disentanglement of Macromolecules on the Rheological, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene–Polyethylene Blends |
| title_fullStr | Influence of Partial Disentanglement of Macromolecules on the Rheological, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene–Polyethylene Blends |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of Partial Disentanglement of Macromolecules on the Rheological, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene–Polyethylene Blends |
| title_short | Influence of Partial Disentanglement of Macromolecules on the Rheological, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene–Polyethylene Blends |
| title_sort | influence of partial disentanglement of macromolecules on the rheological thermal and mechanical properties of polypropylene polyethylene blends |
| topic | polypropylene–polyethylene blends entanglements crystallization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/8/1786 |
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