Evaluation of compatibility of poly(vinyl chloride)/starch acetate blends using simple techniques

Solution blending of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and starch acetate (d.s. 2.5) synthesized in our laboratory was carried out in 1,4‐dioxane. The compatibility of these blends based on the heat of mixing and the free‐energy concept was examined theoretically. Experimental evidence for the compatibility of these blends was derived from viscometric and ultrasonic studies and density measurements. Interaction parameters suggest that polymer–polymer interaction is greater than polymer–solvent interaction in the blends under study. All the experimental and theoretical evidence show that the blends are incompatible at the compositions studied. Morphological studies showed a uniform dispersion of starch acetate in PVC. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 1851–1861, 1999     

The effects of compatibility on the mechanical properties and fatigue resistance of butyl/EPDM rubber blends

In this study, compatibility of butyl/ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubbers in different ratios was investigated byviscometric technique. For evaluating polymer compatibility, the parameters Δb suggested by Krigbaum&Wall, ΔB and μ that were suggested by Chee were calculated. Data obtained from viscometric study were used for preparing new compound recipe. Mechanical and rheological properties of the new compounds were measured and the changes in the properties before and after thermal aging were determined. Replacement of ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber with butyl rubber in appropriate ratio improved the fatigue resistance of the vulcanizates. Improvement of dynamic mechanical properties of polymer blends is expected only in the case of blending compatible polymers in appropriate ratios. The compatibility of blends in different ratios has been studied by viscometric technique and mechanical measurements and obtained very similar results. It has been concluded that viscometric determination of butyl/ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubbers compatibility could be used as a simple technique for predicting the mechanical properties of the same rubber blend that was related with solid phase compatibility. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1869–1873, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Blends of thermoplastic polyurethanes and polyamide 12: Structure,molecular interactions,relaxation, and mechanical properties

Studies were done to understand the effects of polyamide 12 (PA 12) incorporation on microphase separation (microsegregation) in thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) based on oligoether (polytetramethylene oxide, molecular weight, 1000) and oligoester (polyethylene butylene glycol adipate, molecular weight, 2000), and relaxation transitions, compatibility, and molecular interaction energy in polymer blends. It was learned that the addition of PA 12 caused partial degradation of the domain structure in the oligoester‐containing polyurethane, whereas interaction of hard blocks in the oligoether‐containing polyurethane increased. Analyzing compatibility and interphase interactions in blends is possible in the frame of the quantum theory of relaxation processes. Also, interferences of the components on characteristic temperatures of relaxation transitions were studied. Partial compatibility was detected between PA 12 and the soft block of oligoether‐based TPU over the whole range of components concentrations tested. For oligoester‐based TPU, partial compatibility was observed only at low polyamide concentrations (up to 20 wt %). Effects of a polyurethane phase on PA 12 crystallization in the blends along with the pattern of concentration—mechanical properties dependencies are discussed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1054–1070, 1999     

Compatibility and nonlinear viscoelasticity of polychloroprene/polyvinyl chloride blends with nitrile butadiene rubber as a compatibilizer

Miscible polychloroprene/polyvinyl chloride (CR/PVC) blends with nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) as a compatibilizer were prepared. The effect of NBR on the compatibility between CR and PVC was mainly analyzed by studying the thermal behavior and the phase structure of CR/PVC blends. An obvious decrement in the T_g of PVC phase successfully provided an explanation for the compatibilization of NBR. Due to the improved compatibility between CR and PVC, the size of PVC particles in CR/PVC blends decreased a lot according to the scanning electronic microscopic images. The significant improvement of mechanical properties of CR/PVC blends was in good agreement with the better compatibility between CR and PVC phases. The softening effect of NBR on the nonlinear viscoelasticity of CR/PVC blends was also studied by RPA 2000. Temperature sweep test by RPA 2000, a less reported characterization method of T_g, was successfully applied to measure T_g of CR/PVC blends and study the compatibilization of NBR. The reason for better thermal stability and the thermal decomposition mechanism of CR/PVC blends were analyzed according to the results of TGA. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42448.     

Compatibility and biodegradability of blendsof starch cinnamate with various polymers

The compatibility of blends of starch cinnamate (StCn) with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), and styrene acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) has been examined through viscometry at 30°C. The results of the three systems are compared with the already reported PMMA/StCn system. From the intrinsic viscosity, relative viscosity, reduced viscosity, and density measurements the PVC/StCn and SAN/StCn blends were found to be compatible while PS/StCn blend was found to be incompatible. The compatibility of the blends was also confirmed by SEM analysis. The compatibility of these blends based on heat of mixing and polymer-polymer interaction parameter was also examined. Blends were observed to be compatible on the basis of heat of mixing theory but not on the basis of polymer - polymer interaction parameters. Biodegradation studies of compatible blends containing 30% StCn showed 13%, 15%, 18%, and 23% weight loss in case of PMMA, SAN, and PVC blends after 120 days.     

Plastification of poly(vinyl chloride) by polymer blending

Blends of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with different copolymers have been studied to obtain a plasticized PVC with improved properties and the absence of plasticizer migration. The copolymers used as plasticizers in the blends were acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and ethylene-acrylic copolymer (E-Acry). Blends were studied with regard to their processing, miscibility, and mechanical properties, as a function of blend and copolymer composition. The results obtained were compared with those of equivalent compositions in the PVC/dioctyl phthalate (DOP) system. Better results than PVC/DOP were obtained for PVC/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blends. The plasticizing effect on PVC of EVA and E-Acry copolymers was similar to that of DOP. It is shown that crosslinking PVC/E-Acry blends or increasing the vinyl acetate content in PVC/EVA blends, are alternatives that can increase the compatibility and mechanical properties of these blends. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 1303–1312, 2000     

Evaluation of compatibility of methacrylic copolymers by capillary viscometry

The estimation of the compatibility of different pairs of polymers can be based on capillary viscometry data for ternary polymer‐polymer‐solvent systems using mathematical models based on the slope of the Huggins equation (Δb) and Huggins constant (Δk′). In this study, the compatibility of binary mixtures of six types of methacrylic copolymers with similar molecular weights but different functional groups [one characterized by amine groups (EuE), two by ammonium groups (EuRL EuRS), two by carboxylic groups (EuL EuS), and one without charge (EuNE)] was evaluated using these methods. On the basis of Huggins and Kraemer constants, acetone and tetrahydrofurane were selected as good solvents for the programmed blends. Cationic copolymers mixed with anionic copolymers showed the formation of visible aggregates. The study performed on the other blends showed that EuRL and EuRS could be considered compatible with EuE; EuNE was incompatible with both EuL and EuE, EuL and EuS were incompatible between them. EuRL and EuRS could be considered compatible even if the weight ratio seems to influence the behavior of the two copolymers. The Δk′ approach seems to be more robust than the Δb model. The compatibility of different pairs of methacrylic copolymers with similar molecular weights could be evaluated using capillary viscometry. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 1662–1668, 2000     

Compatibility and biodegradability of PMMA–starch cinnamate blends in various solvents

The compatibility of PMMA and starch cinnamate (STCN) blends prepared in tetrahydrofuran, 1,4‐dioxane, and N,N‐dimethylformamide has been examined through viscometry at 30°C. From the intrinsic viscosity, relative viscosity, reduced viscosity, and density measurements, the blends of the two polymers were observed to be compatible in all three solvents. The compatibility of the blends was also confirmed through FTIR and SEM studies. The blends were observed to be compatible on the basis of heat of mixing, but they were observed to be incompatible on the basis of polymer–polymer interaction parameters. Results obtained show that the compatibility predicted on the basis of viscometric and density measurements is not affected by the choice of solvents. Biodegradation studies showed 13% weight loss within 120 days in the case of the blend containing 30% STCN. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 488–496, 2001     

In situ reactive compatibilization in polymer blends: Effects of functional group concentrations

Polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE), along with their reactive counterparts, i.e., polystyrene having oxazoline reactive groups (OPS) and polyethylene with carboxylic acid groups (CPE), were melt blended in a Rheomix mixer. These blends were prepared by mixing these polymers in various proportions under a variety of conditions. In an alternate procedure the OPS, CPE graft polymer (OPS-g-CPE) was prepared by melt blending these two polymers beforehand, and subsequently this grafted polymer was used as a compatibilizer for PS–PE blends. The effects of the addition of OPS and CPE, on the one hand, and OPS-g-CPE, on the other hand, on the compatibility of PS–PE blends were investigated. The morphology of these blends was examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and related to their tensile properties. The PS–PE blends are found to have the typical coarse morphology of incompatible blends and poor tensile properties while their reactive counterparts, OPS-CPE blends, have fine grain microstructure and show improved tensile strength throughout the range and improved elongation in the PE-rich blends. Relatively low concentrations of the reactive pair, oxazoline and carboxylic acid, are shown to be necessary to produce improved compatibility. The preblended graft copolymer OPS-g-CPE imparts compatibility to PS–PE blends also but not as effectively. This suggests that the addition of OPS and CPE during melt mixing of PS and PE forms OPS-g-CPE polymer at the interface and that these ingredients act as “in situ reactive compatibilizers” which improve physical properties.     

Chemistry of the ternary blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate), bisphenol-a-polycarbonate,and polypropylene

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and bisphenol-a-polycarbonate (PC) are known to form a miscible blend whereas ternary blends of PET, PC, and polypropylene (PP) form two phases. This is based on the considerations of various chemical events which may occur in these systems. The role of ester-carbonate interchange reactions during melt mixing and fabricating is found to be unimportant. Differential scanning calorimetric analysis of the ternary blends shows that there appears to occur an exothermic transition in the heating mode of the instrument. This exothermic event was found to be suppressed considerably by incorporating suitable additives into the system. Degradation reactions studied by thermogravimetric analysis and a dilute solution viscometric technique reveal that there exists some kind of interaction among the components even with the immiscible PP component.     

Compatibility of poly(p-fluorostyrene-co-o-fluorostyrene) with poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) and polystyrene

The compatibility of blends prepared from random copolymers of p-fluorostyrene and o-fluorostyrene with poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) and blends of the copolymers with polystyrene (PS) has been examined using differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that compatibility in these systems depends on copolymer composition: copolymers containing from 10 to 38% of p-fluorostyrene are miscible with PPO in all proportions. The thermally induced phase separation in these systems was also studied and the existence of lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) was established for all compatible blends. The copolymers were found to be incompatible with PS regardless of composition.     

Compatibilization of high‐impact polystyrene/high‐density polyethylene blends by styrene/ethylene–butylene/styrene block copolymer

Compatibilization of polymer blends of high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) and high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) blend by styrene/ethylene–butylene/styrene (SEBS) was elucidated. Polymer blends containing many ratios of HIPS and HDPE with various concentrations of SEBS were prepared. The Izod impact strength and elongation at break of the blends increased with increases in SEBS content. They increased markedly when the HDPE content was higher than 50 wt %. Tensile strength of blends increased when the SEBS concentration was not higher than 5 pphr. Whenever the SEBS loading was higher than 5 pphr, the tensile strength decreased and a greater decrease was found in blends in which the HDPE concentration was more than 50 wt %. The log additivity rule model was applied to these blends, which showed that the blends containing the HIPS‐rich phase gave higher compatibility at the higher shear rates. Surprisingly, the blends containing the HDPE‐rich phase yielded greater compatibility at the lower shear rates. Morphology observations of the blends indicated better compatibility of the blends with increasing SEBS concentration. The relaxation time (T₂) values from the pulsed NMR measurements revealed that both polymer blends became more compatible when the SEBS concentration was increased. When integrating all the investigations of compatibility compared with the mechanical properties, it is possible to conclude that SEBS promotes a certain level of compatibilization for several ratios of HIPS/HDPE blends. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 742–755, 2004     

On the rheology of molten binary blends of polyolefins. X. Homogeneity and high shear (Poiseuille's) melt flow of polypropylene–polyethylene blends

Statistical analysis of inherent viscosities (LVN), shear modulus (G^*), and melting temperature (T_m) interval data for isotactic polypropylene–linear polyethylene (HDPE) blends was performed in order to verify their microheterogeneity. High shear measurements in viscometric (Poiseuille's) flow were carried out on four replicated compositions of the blends. Least-squares treatment of the results yielded power law parameters for the blends differing in composition. The significance of differences between the blends of various HDPE content was tested using the multiple-range (Duncan's) test, and tentative conclusions are drawn on the composition dependence of the melt flow viscosities of the blends.     

Compatibility studies on some polymer blend systems by electrical and mechanical techniques

Systematic electrical and mechanical studies were carried out on natural rubber (NR) blended with different types of synthetic rubber such as styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR), polybutadiene rubber (BR), and ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer (EPDM) as nonpolar rubbers and nitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBR) and chloroprene rubber (CR) as polar rubbers. The NR/SBR, NR/BR, NR/EPDM, NR/NBR, and NR/CR blends were prepared with different ratios (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100). The permittivity (ε′) and dielectric loss (ε″) of these blends were measured over a wide range of frequencies (100 Hz–100 kHz) and at room temperature (∼ 27°C). The compatibility results obtained from the dielectric measurements were comparable with those obtained from the calculation of the heat of mixing. These results were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and showed that NR/SBR and NR/BR blends were compatible while NR/EPDM, NR/NBR, and NR/CR blends were incompatible. To overcome the problem of phase separation (incompatibility) between NR and EPDM, NBR, or CR, a third component such as SBR or poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was added as a compatibilizing agent to these blends. The experimental data of dielectric and mechanical measurements showed that the addition of either SBR or PVC could improve the compatibility of such blends to some extent. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 60–71, 2001     

Synthesis,characterization, and application of semi‐interpenetrating liquid crystalline polymer networks LCP/PS

Attempts to extend the IPN technology to liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) systems have been made in search for a new approach for enhancing the compatibility of liquid crystalline polymer with engineering thermoplastics. A new type of interpenetrating polymer network based on liquid crystalline polymer : semi‐interpenetrating liquid crystalline polymer network comprising liquid crystalline polymer PET/60PHB (LCP) and crosslinked polystyrene (PS) (for short: semi‐ILCPN LCP/PS) has been successfully prepared. The compatibility and thermal properties of the semi‐ILCPN LCP/PS with different amount of crosslinking agent were investigated by FTIR, SEM, DSC, and TGA, respectively. Furthermore, the possible application of the semi‐ILCPN LCP/PS as a new kind of compatibilizer in PPO/LCP blends was also studied and discussed. Well‐compatibilized PPO/LCP composites with considerably improved mechanical properties were obtained. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 1141–1150, 2000     

Effect of the molecular structure of polyurethane elastomers on the thermomechanical properties of PUE/PC blends

Polyurethane elastomers (PUEs) based on 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), 1,4‐butanediol (BDO) and two kinds of aliphatic polycaprolactone (PCL) diols with molecular weight of 1000 Da and 2000 Da have been synthesized and melt‐blended with polycarbonate (PC). The compatibility of PC and PUEs was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that the glass transition temperature (T_g) of PC decreased by 0–40°C when 0–10 wt % of PUEs incorporated into the PC matrix. Phase separation in the blends was not detected by means of DSC characterization, but measurements of DMA and SEM indicated that phase separation existed in the blends of PC and PUEs synthesized with 1000 Da PCL‐diol. As for PUEs/PC blend in which 2000 Da PCL‐diol as PUEs' soft segments, it turned from completely compatible to partially when the NCO/OH ratio for the PUEs prepolymer was increased from 2 : 1 to 4 : 1. The compatibilities of PC and PUEs were greatly influenced by the molecular weight of polyols and the ratio of NCO/OH in the PUE prepolymer, higher molecular weight of polyols and lower NCO/OH ratio resulted in better compatibility. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Solution and solid‐state NMR investigation of poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blends

The development of polymer blends has become very important for the polymer industry because these blends have shown to be a successful and versatile alternative way to obtain a new polymer. In this study, binary blends formed by poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) were prepared by solution casting and evaluated by solution and solid‐state NMR. Variations in the microstructure of PMMA were analyzed by ¹³C solution NMR. Solid‐state NMR promotes responses on physical interaction, homogeneity, and compatibility to use these blends to understand the behavior of the ternary blends. The NMR results led‐us to acquire information on the polymer blend microstructure and molecular dynamic behavior. From the NMR solution, it was possible to evaluate the microstructure of both polymer blend components; they were atactic. From the solid state, good compatibility between both polymer components was characterized. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 372–377, 2004     

Improved compatibility of high‐density polyethylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) blend by the use of blocked isocyanate group

The blocked isocyanate group (BHI) was synthesized to improve the storage stability of HI (2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate combined with isophorone diisocyanate) and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). High‐density polyethylene grafted with the blocked isocyanate group (HDPE‐g‐BHI) was used as a reactive compatibilizer for an immiscible high‐density polyethylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (HDPE/PET) blend. A possible reactive compatibilization mechanism is that regenerated isocyanate groups of HDPE functionalized by BHI react with the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of PET during melt blending. The HDPE‐g‐BHI/PET blend showed the smaller size of a dispersed phase compared to the HDPE/PET blend, indicating improved compatibility between HDPE and PET. This increased compatibility was due to the formation of an in situ graft copolymer, which was confirmed by dynamic mechanical analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis represented that there were few changes in the crystallinity for the continuous PET phase of the HDPE‐g‐BHI/PET blends, compared with those of the HDPE/PET blends at the same composition. Tensile strengths and elongations at the break of the HDPE‐g‐BHI/PET blends were greater than those of the HDPE/PET blends. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1017–1024, 2000     

Effect of compatibilizer on morphology and mechanical properties of TPU/SAN blends

Melt blends of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and Poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile), (SAN) of various compositions were prepared using a two‐roll mill. Two blends of composition 70:30 and 50:50 TPU/SAN were selected for compatibility studies. The compatibility effect of SMA on these incompatible blends was studied. The morphology and physical properties of blends were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and mechanical properties. TPU/SAN/SMA 70:30:5 showed better compatibility than other blend ratios.     

The Effects of PP-g-MA on the Physical Properties and Morphology of Polypropylene (PP)/Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber (rNBR) Blends

Polypropylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) was used to enhance the compatibility of polypropylene (PP) and recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (rNBR) blends. The blends were prepared by melt mixing using a Haake Rheomix Polydrive R 600/610 mixer at 180°C. The processing torque was used to investigate the mixing process. The better mixing of compatibilized blends (PP/rNBR-MA) was evidence by the higher stabilization torque. Compared to uncomapatibilized PP/rNBR blends, tensile properties and oil resistance of compatibilized PP/rNBR were improved. SEM micrographs of tensile fractured surfaces showed better dispersion and better interfacial adhesion between the phases of compatibilized blends compared to uncompatibilized counterparts.