Compatibilizing agents in polymer blends: Interfacial tension, phase morphology, and mechanical properties

Abstract

The interfacial tension, phase morphology, and phase growth was determined for four polymer blend systems: polyethylene/polystyrene, polyethylene/polyamide‐6, polystyrene/polyamide‐6, and polystyrene/poly(ethylene terephthalate). Generally, high interfacial tension correlates with coarse phase morphology and rapid phase coalescence. The addition of various potential compatibilizing agents to these binary blend systems results in lowered interfacial tension, finer and stabilized phase morphologies. The characteristics of different compatibilizing agents were compared for several of the blend systems. We also look at the influences of compatibilizing agents on mechanical properties of the blend systems. Some compatibilizing agents are able to produce substantial improvements in ultimate properties.

Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/ Polypropylene Blends

“…It was pointed out that it is necessary but not sufficient to improve mechanical properties by increasing interfacial adhesion alone. 3 The compatibilizing agent itself must * To whom all correspondence should be addressed. also be mechanically strong.…”

Morphological stability, interfacial tension, and dual-phase continuity in polystyrene-polyethylene blends

“…blends. 34,36,39,43 Additional samples were prepared for rheological In the present article, the morphological stabilcharacterization. ity of polystyrene/polyethylene blends in the region of dual-phase continuity is studied.…”

Morphology of PC/SAN blends: effect of reactive compatibilization, SAN concentration, processing, and viscosity ratio

“…11,23,[27][28][29] Unlike the case for polyamides or polyesters, schemes for formation of block and graft copolymer by in situ reactions during melt processing of polycarbonate blends have not been available until recently. In another article, we introduced a novel chemical approach for formation of SAN-g-PC copolymers at the PC/SAN interface using the scheme shown in Figure 1.…”