Branching and cross-linking of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and its foaming properties.

The branching and cross-linking of poly(ethylene terephthalate) were investigated using two chain extenders: glycidyl methacrylate-styrene copolymer (GS) and poly(butylene terephthalate)-GS (PBT-GS) in order to improve the melt viscosity and melt strength of poly(ethylene terephthalate). An obvious increase in torque evolution associated with chain extending, branching and cross-linking was observed during the process. The properties of modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) were characterized by intrinsic viscosity and insoluble content measurements, rheological and thermal analysis. The intrinsic viscosity and rheological properties of modified PET were improved significantly when using PBT-GS, indicating that PBT-GS should be a better chain extender. Good foaming of poly(ethylene terephthalate) materials were obtained using supercritical CO as blowing agent. The average cell diameter and cell density were 61 μm and 1.8 × 10 cells/cm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]