Study on the Morphology and Properties of Metallocene Polyethylene and Ethylene/Vinyl Acetate Blends

Two commercial polymer materials, metal-locene linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) and ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) have been used to form binary blends of various compositions. The mechanical properties, morphology, rheological behavior, dynamic mechanical properties, and crystallization of m-LLDPE/EVA blends were investigated. It was found that with the addition of EVA, the fluidity and processability of m-LLDPE were significantly improved, and the introduction of polar groups in this system showed no significant changes in mechanical properties at lower EVA content. As verified by morphology observation and differential scanning calorimetry analysis, miscible blends were formed within certain weight ratios. Dynamic mechanical property studies showed that flexibility of the blends was enhanced in comparion with pure m-LLDPE, where the peak value of loss modulus shifted to lower temperature and its intensity was enhanced as EVA content increased, indicating the existence of more amorphous regions in the blends.