What is "compatibilization"

n. 1 The act of making compatible 2 The addition of a substance (a compatibilizer) to a blend of immiscible plastics in order to gain stability

Compatibilization in polymer chemistry is the addition of a substance to an immiscible blend of polymers that will increase their stability. Polymer blends are typically described by coarse, unstable phase morphologies. This results in poor mechanical properties. Compatibilizing the system will make a more stable and better blended phase morphology by creating interactions between the two previously immiscible polymers. Not only does this enhance the mechanical properties of the blend, but it often yields properties that are generally not attainable in either single pure component.