Development of novel composites of incompatible barrier polymers and their optimal processing conditions for recyclable thermoformable food packaging sheet

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Development of novel composites of incompatible barrier polymers and their optimal processing conditions for recyclable thermoformable food packaging sheet

AKIKI Alain, EL RASSY Elissa, CHALLITA Georges, NACCOUL Rouaida Abou, BAILLEUL Jean-Luc

Abstract. In this work, a high barrier polymer MXD6 (m-xylene diamine) has been incorporated in a PE (polyethylene) matrix to create an extensible, thermoplastic composite system. MXD6 is a high barrier and glassy polymer. However, being polar, it is incompatible with a non-polar PE. To this date, there were no significant attempts neither in compatibilizing a binary blend of PE/MXD6 nor in exploring the benefits of orientation on such a mixed system. The main value proposition in this work resides in reducing the dispersed MXD6 phase close to a submicron scale in the PE matrix by designing an adequate mixing process/compatibilizer method. Thermal characterization of the composites and the scanning electron microscopy have confirmed that the MXD6 dispersed phase in the compatibilized blends has been physically and thermally confined; its crystallization during cooling stage has been inhibited. The compatibilized blend shows a creation of an interface adhesion between phases. The dispersed phase average particle size is stabilized at around 0.5 μm enhancing the recyclability of the final product.

Keywords
Dispersed Nanophase, MXD6, Compatibilizer, Thermoplastic Composite, Laminar Morphology, Permeability

Published online 4/24/2024, 10 pages
Copyright © 2024 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA

Citation: AKIKI Alain, EL RASSY Elissa, CHALLITA Georges, NACCOUL Rouaida Abou, BAILLEUL Jean-Luc, Development of novel composites of incompatible barrier polymers and their optimal processing conditions for recyclable thermoformable food packaging sheet, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 41, pp 2628-2637, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903131-288

The article was published as article 288 of the book Material Forming

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.

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