Preparation of HDPE/SEBS<i>‐g‐</i>MAH and its effect on mechanical properties of HDPE/wood flour composites

In this article, high density polyethylene/styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene block copolymer blends (HDPE/SEBS) grafted by maleic anhydride (HDPE/SEBS ‐g‐ MAH), which is an effective compatibilizer for HDPE/wood flour composites was prepared by means of torque rheometer with different contents of maleic anhydride (MAH). The experimental results indicated that MAH indeed grafted on HDPE/SEBS by FTIR analysis and the torque increased with increasing the content of maleic anhydride and dicumyl peroxide (DCP). Styrene may increase the graft reaction rate of MAH and HDPE/SEBS. When HDPE/SEBS MAH was added to HDPE/wood flour composites, tensile strength and flexural strength of composites can reach 25.9 and 34.8 MPa in comparison of 16.5 and 23.8 MPa (without HDPE/SEBS ‐g‐ MAH), increasing by 157 and 146%, respectively. Due to incorporation of thermoplastic elastomer in HDPE/SEBS ‐g‐ MAH, the Notched Izod impact strength reached 5.08 kJ m −2 , increasing by 145% in comparison of system without compatibilizer. That HDPE/SEBS ‐g‐ MAH improved the compatibility was also conformed by dynamic mechanical measurement. Scanning electron micrographs provided evidence for strong adhesion between wood flour and HDPE matrix with addition of HDPE/SEBS ‐g‐ MAH. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007