Phosphonated Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Ionomers as Compatibilizers in Polyester/Polyamide Blends for Packaging Applications

Abstract

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is widely used in the packaging industry. The oxygen barrier properties of PET are acceptable for many food and beverage products, but do not meet the stringent requirements for packaging highly oxygen-sensitive products. Blending PET with aromatic polyamides, such as poly(m-xylyene adipamide) (MXD6), reduces the inherent oxygen permeability of the polyester matrix. Due to the immiscibility of these two parent polymers, a compatibilizer is necessary to achieve an efficient and stable mixing