Polyethylene crystallization in compatibilized polyethylene/polyamide 6 blends

Blends of semicrystalline polymers can exhibit much better properties than each of the pure polymers regarding e.g. impact/modulus compromise. Controlling the crystallization mechanisms (nucleation, kinetics) is a key factor to obtain the desired morphologies which lead to these unique properties. We have studied the crystallization of polyethylene (PE) in blends of PE and polyamide 6 (PA) compatibilized by PE functionalized with maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA, 1 wt{\%} MA) obtained by reactive blending. Samples with different amounts of PA6 (0-60 {\%}vol) have been investigated by polarized optical microscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The samples were heated at a temperature above the melting temperature of PE and below the melting temperature of PA, and then cooled at the selected crystallization temperature. We describe how the crystallization kinetics is modified by the presence of PA and MA.