Abstract: Ethylene-propylene rubber grafted maleic anhydride (EPM-g-MAH) was introduced into blends of polyamide 6 /ethylene propylene rubber (PA6/EPM) as a compatibilizer. The effects of EPM-g-MAH on the rheological behavior, mechanical properties, and morphology of the ternary blends were studied. It showed that PA6 and EPM were compatibilized by in-situ reaction between PA6 and EPM-g-MAH. EPM domains were distributed more homogeneously in PA6 matrix with the increasing EPM-g-MAH content. When the weight ratio of EPM/EPM-g-MAH was 10/10, the notched impact strength reached maximum of 47 kJ/m2, which increased 8 times that of neat PA6.

Key words: ethylene-propylene rubber grafted maleic anhydride, blending, compatibilization, toughening, polyamide 6, ethylene-propylene rubber