Various properties of PP/EVOH blends applying itaconic acid based compatibilizer according to ethylene content in the EVOH

We prepared compatibilizer using itaconic acid grafted polypropylene by using a melt mixing system to improve the dispersion effects that occur upon blending polypropylene (PP) and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). The PP/EVOH blends were prepared by varying the ethylene content of EVOH and adding a compatibilizer. We investigated the morphological, thermal, rheological, tensile, and barrier properties of the PP/EVOH blends. The compatibilized PP/EVOH blends with 2.5phr of PP-g-IA have higher Young’s moduli, tensile strength, and greater elongation at break than those of non-compatibilized blends. Barrier properties also improved with the addition of compatibilizer in the L and F types.