Blends of linear-low-density polyethylene and thermoplastic bloodmeal using maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene as compatibilizer

Abstract

Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) was blended with Novatein Thermoplastic from bloodmeal (NTP.) The compatibilizing effect of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MAH) on mechanical, morphology thermal properties and water absorption were studied and compared with blends without compatibilizer .The amount of polyethylene added was varied between 20% to 70% with 10% of compatibilizer. An improvement in compatibility between NTP and LLDPE was evident across the entire composition range only when using compatibilizer. The tensile strength of blends decreased over that pure LLDPE, but never dropped below that of pure NTP. Results showed that blending NTP with LLDPE decreased water absorption significantly, even more so using a compatibilizer. The result is a more water stable material.