Principles of blend compatibilisationFew polymers form truly miscible blends characterised by a single glass transition temperature (Tg) and homogeneity on a 5-10nm scale with domain sizes comparable to the dimension of a macromolecular statistical segment. The majority of blends are immiscible, i e . , possess a phase separated morphology. Blends of this type are often preferred over the miscible ones since they combine some of the important characteristics of both blend constituents. Blend composition, viscoelastic properties of the components, and interfacial adhesion are among the parameters known to control the size and morphology of the dispersed phase and its stability to coalescence. Heterogeneous blends of technological importance are termed "compatible" and they constitute the majority of the commercial blends introduced in the past 30 years. In such blends, often known also as alloys, satisfactory physical and mechanical properties are related to the presence of an interphase modified through compatibilisation and the formation of a fine dispersed morphology resistant to phase separation.Polymer compatibility, which may lead ultimately to complete thermodynamic miscibility, may be enhanced by various methods. In addition to cocrystallisation and cocrosslinking, strong interactions such as acidbase or ion-dipole, hydrogen bonding and transition metal complexation
Transreactions in Condensation PolymersStoyho Fahirov copyright 0 WILEY-VCH Verlag GrnbH. 1999 412 M. Xanthos, H. Warth between suitably functionalised components, have been shown to improve compatibility. More commonly, compatibility is promoted through interfacially active copolymers (e.g., block, graft, random) with segments capable of specific interactions and/or chemical reactions with the blend components. The copolymers may be added separately, or formed in situ through chemical reactions, often catalysed by the addition of low molecular weight (MW) compounds. Reactive and non-reactive compatibilisation of polymer blends has been the subject of numerous reviews [l-71.During blending of a pair of suitably functionalised polymers A and B, interchain block, graft, or random copolymers may be formed at various concentrations through covalent or ionic bonding. According to Brown [3] , the following are five general types of chemical processes/reactions by which interchain copolymer formation has been achieved in extruder reactors: 1. Chain cleavage/recombination (main chain of A/main chain of B or 2. End-group of A/end-group of B; block. 3. End-group of A/pendant functionality of B; graft. 4. Covalent cross-linking: pendant functionality of Alpendant functionality of B or main chain of A/main chain of B; graft (crosslinked network).
Ionic bond formation between A and B; usually graft (usually crosslinked).The compatibilisers formed in situ have segments that are chemically identical to those in the respective unreacted homopolymers and are thought to be located preferentially at the interface, thus lowering interfacial tension, and also promo...