Thesis (M.Sc.)--Chulalongkorn University, 2002

The blending of PET and EPDM using EPDM-g-MAH as compatibilizer was studied. The effect of MAH contents, blending ratio, diene content and Mooney viscosity of EPDM on the blend properties was investigated. Grafting of MAH onto EPDM was prepared and then EPDM-g-MAH was blended with PET by single screw extruder at 250 ํC and 50 rpm. PET/EPDM blend without grafted MAH produced poor mechanical properties because the interaction between polymer phase and elastomer phase was weak. The using of EPDM-g-MAH in the blend increased the compatibility of PET-EPDM system by generating higher interaction and chemical link between interfacial surface of the blends. Consequently, the melt flow index of polymer blends decreased and the impact strength increased. The tensile strength and elongation at break of PET/EPDM blend with EPDM-g-MAH was lower than pure PET. The morphology of the blends showed the droplets of EPDM dispersed in PET matrix. For the blend with EPDM-g-MAH compatibilizer, the droplets were finer and smaller with increasing MAH content.