5. Conclusions
Blends of TLCP and the sodium salt of ethylene–acrylic
acid copolymers are compatibilized by a melt reaction that
involves an acidolysis between acrylic acid and the ester
linkages of the TLCP. The reaction is catalyzed by the
presence of sodium carboxylate groups and the rate of reaction
increases as the concentration of Na1-ions increase.
The free carboxylic acid and the zinc-salt derivative of
EAA are ineffective at catalyzing the reaction. The extent
of graft copolymer formation depends on the Na1
concentration, the mixing time and probably the mixing
temperature and the intensity of mixing.
Preliminary experiments on ternary blends suggest that
the reaction graft copolymers of TLCP and Na-EAA may be
suitable compatibilizers for blends of TLCP and polyethylene
(PE) or other polyolefins.