This study reports the morphology development of polymer blends in a novel vane extruder in which polymer mainly suffers from elongational deformation field. Rapidly cooled samples of polypropylene/polystyrene (PP/PS) are collected in the vane extruder after stable extrusion. Furthermore, the shape and size of the dispersed phase from initial to final stages are analyzed. In addition, in order to compare the final size of the dispersed phase, different immiscible blends, including polypropylene/polyamide and PP/PS, are prepared by vane extruder and twin‐screw extruder, respectively. The results show that the dispersed phase is made to change rapidly from stretched striations to droplets under the strong elongational deformation field in the vane extruder. Furthermore, the droplet size of dispersed phase of blends prepared by vane extruder is much smaller than that prepared by twin‐screw extruder, indicating that the vane extruder is more efficient in mixing for immiscible polymer blends. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013

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Adding caulis spatholobi residue fiber (CSRF) to reinforce biodegradable poly (propylene carbonate) (PPC) as a reinforcement was investigated. The morphology of CSRF before and after continuous steam explosion, the mechanical and morphological properties of PPC/CSRF bio‐composites with different fiber content were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical tests and infrared spectroscopy. The tensile strength and modulus, and impact strength of the bio‐composites increased as the content of fiber increased in composites, the elongation at break declined. It was found that a small stay‐segment in the stress–strain curves and pulled‐out fibers on fractured surfaces of the composites. Infrared spectra result showed esterification and formation of hydrogen bonds between the matrix and CSRF. The fractured surface of the composites addressed a promotion of the interfacial interactions. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:208–216, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers

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