Reactive preparation of PPE/PA-6 blends via the application of e-caprolactam as a reactive solvent

Solns. of polymer/reactive solvent (monomer) undergo phase sepn. upon polymn. of the reactive solvent as a result of the incompatibility of most polymers. This polymer/reactive solvent approach was used to prep. blends of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) (PPE) blends with poly(e-caprolactam) (PA-6) by reactive processing of PPE-e-caprolactam blends at temps. below the m.p. of PA-6. The final blend morphol. is, under static prepn. conditions, detd. in a complex way by reaction kinetics and/or viscosity of the initial polymer-monomer soln. The phase inversion point can be shifted by reaction kinetics or by agitation