An investigation of the compatibilization of blends of polyethylene and a semirigid liquid crystalline polymer

The mechanical properties of blends with liquid crystalline polymers are in general poor and lower than those expected on the basis of additivity rule because of the strong incompatibility between the flexible and rigid components. Compatibilization is then necessary to enhance the adhesion between the two phases and then to improve the final properties of these blends. The addition of maleic anhydride functionalized polymers could give rise to some compatibilization because of possible reactions between the maleic anhydride group and the end groups of the liquid crystalline polymers. These reactions do not seem to occur in blends of polyethylene and a semirigid liquid crystalline polymer. The small increase of viscosity and of some mechanical properties can be ascribed to the occurrence of polar interactions, such as hydrogen bonding between the components.