Structural effects of compatibilizer localization and effectivity in thermoplastic polyurethane–polyolefin blends

Abstract

ABSTRACT:A study was performed with blends of thermoplastic polyurethanes and polyolefins to determine the structural requirements for a compatibilizer to be located at the interface. It was demonstrated that during the addition of an incompatible polymeric additive (i.e., incompatible with both blend constituents) to a polyurethanepolyolefin blend, the additive migrated to the interface. This interfacial phenomenon was proven to be virtually independent of compatibilizer viscosity or surface activity. Only when the compatibilizer was quite comparable to one of the phases did small differences in polarity govern whether the compatibilizer remained at the interface or formed micelles. This effect was demonstrated with a series of styrene-(ethylenebutylene)-styrene block copolymer compatibilizers.

Role of dissimilar interfaces in thin films of cylinder-forming block copolymers

“…In addition, several types of di-and triblock copolymers are employed as compatibilizers in binary and ternary blends to enhance the macroscopic material properties. [21][22][23] As these copolymers usually migrate to the blends interfaces, this gives rise to a confined situation, and the observed triblock structures at the blend interfaces might be compared to our findings. One problem is that this situation is much more complex than the case of supported films: Apart from the asymmetry in the ͑unknown͒ interface interactions, both interfaces themselves are deformable.…”

Poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-polyethylene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) Triblock Copolymers as Compatibilizers for Polyethylene/Poly(methyl methacrylate) Blends

“…The commercial success of polyolefins is due in part to the low polarity, hydrophobicity, and resistance to harsh chemical environments of these macromolecular alkanes. − However, because of their chemical structure, polyolefins are poorly compatible with more polar polymers. − Compatibilizers are used to combat this deficiency and have been shown to be very effective in expanding the property profiles of polyolefin-based materials. − Polyolefin block or graft copolymers are quite useful in improving the properties of polyolefin blends. For example, polyethylene- block -poly­(methyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers (PE–PMMA) can effectively compatibilize polyolefin/poly­(acrylate/methacrylate) blends .…”

Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer/thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer blends compatibilized with a polyolefinic segment in TPU

“…Previously published work concerning TPU/polyolefin blends utilized a compatibilizer or a modified polyolefin to improve the compatibility of TPU and TPO. 9,10,[13][14][15][16] However, to the author's knowledge, no work has focused on modifying the molecular structure of TPU to enhance compatibility.…”