No abstract

To explore the possible applications of hyperbranched polymers for modifying linear polyamides, two hyperbranched aromatic polyesters characterized as high Tg polymers possessing phenolic end groups were used in melt mixing with partly aromatic polyamide and commercially available aliphatic polyamide‐6, respectively. Different amounts of both hyperbranched polyesters (from 1 wt % up to 20 wt %) were added to the polyamides, and the influence of these hyperbranched polyesters on the properties of the polyamides was investigated. The hyperbranched polyester based on an AB2 approach was found to be the most effective modifier. A significant increase of the glass transition temperature of the final blend was detected. However, a remarkable reduction of crystallinity as well as complex melt viscosity of those blends was also observed. The use of an A2+B3 hyperbranched polyester as melt modifier for the polyamides was less effective for changing the thermal properties, and the complex melt viscosity of the final material increased since heterogeneous blends were formed. In contrast to that, generally, the addition of the AB2 hyperbranched polyester to the polyamides resulted in homogeneous blends with improved Tg and processability. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3558–3572, 2009