Abstract
In situ microfibrillar-reinforced composites (MFC) based on blends from poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were prepared under industrial relevant conditions by melt extrusion, followed by continuous cold drawing in weight ratios of PET/LDPE equal to 50/50. Test specimens were prepared by pultrusion (Pult) of the drawn blend at a processing temperature below the melting temperature of PET. This was the first attempt to pultrude such a material. By varying the Pult parameters, rectangular cross-sectional profiles have been successfully produced using a self-designed Pult line. For comparison, plates were also prepared by compression (CM) and injection molding (IM). Samples of each stage of MFC manufacturing and processing were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), and mechanical testing. SEM and WAXS showed that the highly oriented blends are converted into MFC-structured polymer-polymer composites during the Pult, CM, and IM process. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:402-410, 2010. (C) 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers