Permeation barrier properties of polyethylene/modified blends of polyamide and polyvinylalcohol containers against methanol/gasoline fuels

One commercial grade of polyamide and/or polyvinylalcohol resins were modified by a compatibilizer precursor to make various compositions of modified polyamide (MPA) and/or modified blends of polyamide/polyvinylalcohol (MPAPVA) through reactive extrusion. Good methanol/gasoline fuel permeation resistance together with clearly defined MPAPVA and MPA laminar structures were found on containers blow-molded from the blends of polyethylene PE/MPAPVA and PE/MPA, respectively. The compositions of MPAPVA and MPA resins were found to exhibit a significant influence on the methanol/gasoline fuel permeation resistance and morphology of PE/MPAPVA and PE/MPA containers, respectively. Possible mechanisms are proposed to explain these interesting phenomena.