Multtphase Materials with Lignin. III. Polyblends with Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymers

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Abstract
Organosolv lignin (OSL) from red oak, and its corresponding hydroxypropyl lignin (HPL) derivative, were blended in the melt with polyethylene and with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, and injection molded. Lignin (derivative) content and vinyl acetate (VA) content both served as process variables. All mixtures produced immiscible blends, both by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic mechanical analysis. However, the compatibility of the two polymers increased with VA content. Both lignin products proved to be effective modulus builders, but. HPI, was more effective than OSL at VA contents above 20%. Modulus increased roughly in accordance with the rule of mixing. Inferior tensile strength properties were observed with the EVA copolymer if VA content was below 10%, and superior characteristics were noted in materials containing more than 25% VA and between 5 and 20% HPL.