Modified lignin effectiveness as compatibilizer for PET/LDPE blends containing secondary materials

Abstract The compatibilizing efficiency of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/low density polyethylene (PET/LDPE) blends has been evaluated by following the rheological behavior during processing, dynamic testing as well as tensile characteristics and dielectric properties to account for the optimum materials structure. The binary and compatibilized blends containing secondary PET (PETr) and LDPE (PEr) and reactive compatibilizing agent as commercial maleated ethylene–propylene rubber (EP–MA) or esterified lignin have been processed by melt mixing in a counter-rotating twin rotors HAAKE RHEOCORD 9000 mixer. The experimental results highlight the possibility of producing materials with modulated and new properties from secondary PET and LDPE by overcoming the lack of interfacial adhesion of polyolefin–PET blends, typical of an immiscible system. Lignin can be efficiently used as compatibilizing agent in PETr/PEr blends.