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This work deals with polycaprolactone/babassu compounds having two types of filler, derived from the fruit of the babassu palm. PCL compounds with 10%, 20%, and 30% of epicarp and mesocarp of babassu were prepared in an internal laboratory mixer and their morphology, rheological characteristics, and thermal properties, were determined as a function of the type and content of the load. Melt viscosity increases with filler incorporation and loading levels, and at the same loading level the viscosity of epicarp compounds is higher. Rheological analysis indicates that PCL melts behave as Newtonian liquids while subjected to shear rates in the range 10–100 s−1. DSC data shows babassu promotes PCL melt crystallization, shifting crystallization peak to higher temperatures and increasing crystallization rate. Crystallinity increases steadily with filler content and shows a weak dependence on filler type. Optical microscopy shows higher particle size and particle agglomeration at higher filler contents. SEM analysis shows poor adhesion polymer/filler interface. Small round particles, perceived as background in the images were attributed to the presence of starch granules. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E540–E549, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers

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The application of polyamides is limited by low impact performance when notched in room temperature conditions. This situation is worsening, especially for use in temperatures below zero degrees Celsius. One way to outline this limitation is to prepare polymer blends where the dispersed phase is an elastomer, and then classified as an immiscible blend. Therefore, this study aims to develop polyamide 6/waste styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) blends, with addition of compatibilizer PP-g-MA and PE-g-MA in order to achieve a balance between stiffness and tenacity. The results obtained with the rheological study showed that mixtures of PA6/PE-g-MA presented the best results in comparison with mixtures of PA6/PP-g-MA, indicating that there was probably a reaction between the components, which may allow a better dispersion and thus can achieve better properties.