Contribution of the melting stage to the evolution of the morphology and chemical conversion of immiscible polyamide/polyethylene blends in twin-screw extruders

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of processing conditions (the screw speed, throughput, barrel temperature, and screw configuration) on the chemical conversion and morphology evolution of polyamide/polyolefin blends along a twin-screw extruder. Polymer samples were collected rapidly at specific barrel locations with a special sampling device for subsequent chemical and morphological characterization. Increasing the screw speed or using more restrictive screw modules at the beginning of the melting zone promoted a faster reaction and better dispersion along the extruder. Increasing the throughput or decreasing the barrel temperature slowed the evolution of the morphology and chemical conversion along the extruder because of the lower melting rate. As soon as melting started, the chemical reaction took place. However, high chemical conversion rates required extensive melting, that is, significant interface generation.