(236b) The Role of Positive Counterion in Ethylene-Methacrylic Acid Copolymer Blends with Nylon

This talk details our ongoing investigations of the use of ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers as compatibilizing agents between low-density polyethylene and nylon. The purpose of this talk is to discuss how the properties of the blend changes with a variation in metal cation. The effect of compatibilization on morphology and mechanical properties will be presented. Evidence will be presented that zinc-neutralized materials perform better than sodium neutralized materials as blend compatibilizers. We also show that an irreversible reaction occurs in this system, which is certainly part, if not all, of the mechanism of compatibilization.