Using a Special Cubic Mixture Experimental Design to Achieve Optimal Disperse Dyeability of Polypropylene/Polyethylene Terephthalate Blend

In this investigation, attempts were made to predict the effect of variations in composition of modified polypropylene (PP) with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and a maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) as a compatibilizer on blend’s disperse dyeability by means of a special cubic experimental design. The results showed that there seems to be a critical PET content, above which the blend’s dye uptake stays constant and the mechanical properties of the blend begin to decrease. In addition, further analysis of the results indicated that PP/PET/PP-g-MA blends with 10-15 wt% PET and 4-5 wt% PP-g-MA gave maximal dye uptake as well as desirable mechanical properties.