Synergistic mechanical response of Nylon 6/Trogamid® T blends

Blends of semicrystalline Nylon 6 with a varying ratios of amorphous Nylon are studied for their morphological, thermal, dielectric, and mechanical behavior. Thermal analysis indicated a compositional dependant decrease in the melting and crystallization temperatures of Nylon 6. The blends exhibited a single compositional dependant glass transition temperature in dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and dielectrical relaxation spectroscopy over entire mixing ratio indicating miscibility between the blend components. The values of flexural modulus and tensile modulus of the blends are found to increase without significant loss in the impact properties. The water absorption of the blends is also lower than the values calculated by rule of mixtures. The observed synergistic behavior of the mechanical properties of the blends is indicative of presence of strong interactions in the blends components. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Cellulose nanocrystals as a compatibilizer for improved miscibility of water-soluble polymer binary blends

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have been studied as compatibilizers for improving the interfacial miscibility of polymer binary blends. Binary blends of water-soluble polymers–poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(ethylene oxide), and polyvinylpyrrolidone—containing different amounts of CNC (16 and 25 wt %) were prepared by a solution casting method. For the first time, a systematic side-by-side comparison between the morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of the polymer blends reinforced by CNC has been conducted. It has been determined that in the presence of CNC, the degree of crystallinity of the blend components decreased and the miscibility of the blends increased. The blends possess enhanced thermal and mechanical properties as a result of improved miscibility of the blend components. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 137, 48662.     

Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Properties and Miscibility in Blends of Poly(vinyl ethylene-co-1,4-butadiene) with Hydrogenated Terpene Resin

The pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) properties of two samples of poly(vinyl ethylene-co-1,4-butadiene) (V-BR) (vinyl content: 47.4 and 60 wt%) blended with hydrogenated terpene resin (CLEARON P125) were measured on blend compositions having CLEARON P125 contents (by weight) of 10%, 30% and 50%. The maximum values of 180° peel adhesion, rolling ball tack and probe tack were observed with a V-BR/CLEARON P125 70/30 blend, whereas the maximum values of holding power were obtained with a 50/50 V-BR/CLEARON P125 blend. In these blends, the miscibility between V-BR and CLEARON P125 was confirmed by means of SEM, DSC and light scattering. The influences of surface tension and dynamic mechanical properties on PSA properties were investigated. The surface tension values were essentially the same in all the V-BR/CLEARON P125 blends. Minimum values of storage modulus G′ and loss modulus G″ at room temperature in V-BR/CLEARON P125 blends were obtained with a 70/30 blend. Thus, it is believed that in V-BR/CLEARON P125 blends, 180° peel adhesion and tack are related to the dynamic mechanical properties.     

Study of the miscibility and mechanical properties of NBR/HNBR blends

In this study, hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR, ZETPOL‐2010L) and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR, NIPOL‐DN4555) were blended at different ratios in a Haake melt blender at 130°C. The HNBR and the NBR were of very similar acrylonitrile content and Mooney viscosity. The melt miscibility and solid‐state properties were investigated by rheological, thermal, and mechanical testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The dynamic viscosity of the blends followed the log‐additivity rule, while the flow activation energy closely followed the inverse additivity rule. On the other hand, the storage modulus showed synergistic effects at all compositions, suggesting the presence of emulsion morphology at both ends of the composition range. For the 50/50 HNBR/NBR blend, the SEM micrographs suggest a uniform elongated structure. The thermal analysis showed the presence of two glass transitions, representing the pure components, at all blend ratios, suggesting the absence of segmental miscibility of the blends. The small‐strain mechanical properties such as tensile modulus and yield stress followed linear additivity. However, HNBR and HNBR‐rich blends were observed to strain harden at a rate higher than that of NBR. Induced crystallization of HNBR was suggested to be the reason for the strain hardening. The different rheological, thermal, and mechanical testing techniques agree in suggesting that the structurally similar HNBR and NBR are not thermodynamically miscible but mechanically compatible. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:2346–2352, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Rheological study of the miscibility of LLDPE/LDPE blends and the influence of Tmix

The miscibility of LLDPE and LDPE blends and the influence of mixing temperature (T_mix) are discussed. Adequate amounts of antioxidants were added during melt blending. Dynamic and steady shear measurments were carried out at 190°C in a Rheometrics Mechanical Spectrometer 800.The dependence of rheological properties on blend composition indicated that blends of LLDEPE (butene) and LDPE mixed at 190°C and 220°C are only partially miscible; immiscibilty is likely to occur around the 50/50 composition and in the LDPE‐rich blends. Blends at 190°C are likely miscible in the LLDPE‐rich range. Tncreaasing T_mix did improve the miscibility of LLDPE/LDPE blends at 190°C or influence the dynamic sher properties (η′ or G′) of the “pure” resins of blends. Suggested that the molecular order [see Hussein and Williams, J. Non‐Newt. Fluid Mech., 86 105 (1999); Hussein and Williams, Macromol. Rapid Commun., 19 , 323 (1998)] and mismatch of the molecular conformations of different polyethylene structures provide an explanation for the immiscibility of polyethylenes. Agreement was observed between themeasured dynamic properities and theortical predictions of Palierne and Bousmina‐Karner emulsion models.     

Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/polyarylate blends: Mixing and interchange reactions in injection molding

Blends composed of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and a polyarylate have been melt-mixed and molded in a reciprocating screw injection-molding machine for different plasticization times. Interchange reactions between the blend components occur during processing and at a greater level as the plasticization time increases. These reactions led to a progressive homogenization of the blends as well as to a hindered crystallization of PET. The effect of the plasticization time on the mechanical properties of the blends seems to be a consequence of interchange reactions as well as of the degradation of the blends at the highest plasticization times. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Investigation of miscibility and phase structure of a novel blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/acrylic rubber (ACM) and its nanocomposite with nanosilica

In this work, a novel polymer blend containing poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as a biocompatible and biodegradable thermoplastic and acrylic rubber (ACM) is prepared and the miscibility and phase structure of the blend and its nanocomposite (PLA/ACM/nanosilica) are investigated through theoretical and experimental methods. To predict the phase diagram of the blend, a compressible regular solution model was employed, in which an upper critical solution temperature was observed. The model predicted that PLA/ACM blends are immiscible over the whole composition range at temperatures below 260 °C. Performing scanning force microscopy on the blend showed phase separated structures for the blends containing different amounts of the PLA and ACM. This was in accordance with the results of dynamic mechanical analysis, which revealed two distinct glass transition temperatures for the studied blends. The effect of nanometer sized silica particle on morphology and rheological properties of these blends was also investigated. Scanning force microscopy results showed much reduction of droplet size in the blends containing 2 wt % nanosilica. This was attributed to the suppression effect of nanosilica on the droplets coalescences. Rheological measurements confirmed the interaction of both components with the silica nanofiller. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45499.     

Mechanical Properties and Morphology of Nitrile Rubber Toughened Polystyrene

Mechanical properties and morphology of blends of polystyrene and finely powdered (uncrosslinked and crosslinked) nitrile rubber were studied with special reference to the effect of blend ratio. Blends were prepared by melt mixing polystyrene and nitrile rubber in an internal mixer at 180°C in the composition range of 0–20 wt% nitrile rubber. The tensile stress/strain properties and impact strength of the polystyrene/nitrile rubber blends were determined using injection molded test specimens. In comparison to the blends with uncrosslinked nitrile rubber, blends with crosslinked nitrile rubber showed higher tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus, impact strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus. The enhanced adhesion between the dispersed nitrile rubber phase and the polystyrene matrix results in an increase in mechanical properties. Scanning electron micrographs of the fractured surfaces confirm the enhancement in mechanical properties.     

Rheological and mechanical properties of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

The dependence of rheological properties of a plasticized, filled poly(vinyl chloride) compound on three different methods of thermomechanical treatments has been studied. These three different states of the compound are the dry blend mixed at a maximum temperature of 93°C, the two-roll milled sample prepared at 150°C from the dry blend and the molded sample pressed at 170°C from the previously milled material. At 150°C the viscosity and elasticity of the molded sample are considerably higher than those of the dry blend and the milled sample. At higher temperatures, although their flow curves more or less merge, extrudate swell, extrudate appearance and extrudate tensile properties of the three samples vary. The mechanical and Theological properties of the quenched and annealed molded samples and those of the same compound without filler have also been investigated.     

相对分子质量对玻纤增强PBT/PC的影响

选用不同相对分子质量的聚对苯二甲酸丁二醇酯(PBT)及聚碳酸酯(PC)，通过双螺杆挤出机制备了一系列玻璃纤维增强PBT／PC的共混物。通过对共混物力学性能的测试以及用电子显微镜观察共混物的形态结构，研究了共混物组分的相对分子质量对共混体系的影响。结果表明，共混物组分的相对分子质量对共混物的相容性及性能影响非常显著。     

Hydrolysis of polycarbonate/polybutylene terephthalate blend

The hydrolysis of a polycarbonate/polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) blend (50/50) was investigated by immersing molded samples in water baths between 21 and 98°C. Samples were also placed in a 100°C air circulating oven (dry environment). Changes in impact properties, dynamic mechanical properties, molecular weight, and thermal properties were followed. In 80°C water bath the material was found to embrittle in five to six days, and in circulating air oven at 100°C in less than 90 days. A sharp decline in molecular weight and changes in thermal and mechanical properties were observed. The activation energy for the embrittlement process in water was found to be 22 kcal/ mole. This value is between the activation energy for the hydrolysis of PC and that of PBT.     

The phase behavior and mechanical properties of polyarylate and polycarbonate blends

The phase behavior and mechanical properties of a series of polyarylate/polycarbonate blends were studied. The polymers are known to transesterify, the extent of which depends upon the thermal and shear history and affects phase behavior and properties. Single screw extrusion, twin screw extrusion, and solution casting were employed for blend preparation. Two transition temperatures, corresponding to a polycarbonate-rich phase and to a polyarylate-rich phase, were seen in blends that were solution cast or compounded in a single screw extruder at 285°C. But after injection molding a single T_g was observed, When annealed at 180°C for several hours the molded blend was found to phase separate. Blends that were compounded in a twin screw extruder exhibited a single T_g and could not be phase separated. The flexural and tensile properties of blends that were prepared in a twin screw extruder show a small positive synergism. But the impact properties were substantially below the rule of mixtures values, probably the result of advanced exchange reaction and thermal degradation.     

Elongational viscosity for miscible and immiscible polymer blends. I. PMMA and AS with similar elongational viscosity

The effects of miscibility and blend ratio on uniaxial elongational viscosity of polymer blends were studied by preparing miscible and immiscible samples at the same composition by using poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(acrylonitrile-co-styrene) (AS). Miscible polymer blend samples for the elongational viscosity measurement were prepared by using three steps: solvent blends, cast film, and hot press. A phase diagram of blend samples was made by visual observation of cloudiness. Immiscible blend samples were prepared by maintaining the prepared miscible samples at 200°C, which is higher than cloud points using a LCST (lower critical solution temperature) phase diagram. The phase structure of immiscible blends was observed by an optical microscope. The elongational viscosity of all samples was measured at 145°C, which is lower than the cloud-point temperature at all blend ratios. The elongational viscosity of PMMA and AS was similar to each other. The strain-hardening property of miscible blends in the elongational viscosity was only slightly influenced by the blend ratio, and this was also the case with immiscible blends. The strain-hardening property was only slightly influenced, whether it was miscible or immiscible at each blend ratio. Polydispersity in molecular weight for blend samples was not changed by GPC (gel permeation chromatography) analysis. Almost no change in the polydispersity of the molecular weight for blends and the similarity of elongational viscosity between PMMA and AS resulted in little influence of the blend ratio and miscibility on the strain-hardening property. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 757–766, 1999     

Phase behavior and mechanical properties of blends of poly(butylene terephthalate) and poly(amino–ether) resin

The structure, thermal and mechanical properties of blends of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and a poly(amino–ether) (PAE) barrier resin obtained by direct injection molding are reported. The slight shift of the glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the pure components when blended is attributed to partial miscibility rather than interchange reactions. Both the small strain and the break properties of the blends were close or even above those predicted by the direct rule of mixtures. The specific volume of the blends appeared to be the main reason for the modulus behavior. The linear values of the elongation at break indicated that the blends were compatible, and were attributed to a combination of good adhesion between the two phases of the blends and the small size of the dispersed phases. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 132–139, 2004     

Characterization and properties of polyphthalamide/polyamide blends and polyphthalamide/polyamide/polyolefin blends

Polyphthalamide(PPA)/polyamide(PA) blends were analyzed to determine the effect of PA addition to PPA on melting point, glass transition temperature, dynamic modulus, and heat distortion temperature. Results indicate that the choice of PPA and the choice of PA for the blend systems affects not only the above properties but also the miscibility of the blend systems. In general, PA addition to PPA lowers the melting point and glass transition, which potentially makes these blend materials easier to process. Also, the PPA/PA blends were observed to have dynamic modulus curves with transitions shifted to lower temperatures and crystalline plateaus shifted to lower modulus. PPA/PA/polyolefin(PP) systems were investigated to determine if a useful balance of properties could be obtained, even though the blend components would have to be processed at unusually high processing temperatures (in excess of 320°C). Morphological characterization indicates that small dispersed domains of PP are obtained. The modifiers utilized in these systems were either found at the interface of the PP domain or dispersed within the PP domain. The properties of PPA/PA/PP blends indicates that these systems are ductile and have a good balance of strength, stiffness, impact, and thermal performance.     

Thermal aging of bisphenol-A polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene blends

Thermal aging of immiscible bisphenol-A polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (PC/ABS) blends containing 25, 60, and 75% PC and the PC and ABS blend components have been studied. Changes in Izod impact properties and dynamic mechanical spectra are reported following aging at 90, 110, and 130°C for times up to 1500 h. PC/ABS blends containing 60 and 75% PC were found to retain high impact performance following aging at elevated temperatures, compared to the PC blend component. Dynamic mechanical spectroscopy is an effective probe for investigating the structure–property changes occurring and the mechanisms of aging. For PC and ABS, the changes were mainly due to physical aging of the amorphous polymers when aged below the glass-transition temperature. For the PC/ABS blends, oxidative degradation additionally contributes to loss of toughness. Although structure–property changes are related to the behavior of the blend components, additional factors of potential importance for multiphase polymer–polymer systems have been identified, including a redistribution of stabilizers during the blend manufacture. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Physical characterization of isotactic polypropylene/ethylene-propylene copolymer blends

The properties of solution-mixed blends of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and an amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPM), containing 40 wt.-% of ethylene, were studied throughout the composition range. The techniques used were differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical spectroscopy, and optical microscopy. Morphological examination revealed a heterogeneous structure. The dynamic mechanical technique at isochronous conditions (110 Hz) between -120 and 160°C confirmed the heterophase nature of the blends and revealed limited phase mixing of the amorphous components of the two constituents. DSC measurements of specimens quenched at 0°C, indicated that EPM rubber promotes crystallization of the iPP phase. Appropriate mechanics models tested in the complete composition range led to the conclusion that the system is incompatible, with rubber spherical inclusion strongly adhering to the iPP matrix, up to an EPM volume fraction Φ (EPM) ? 0.70. At higher EPM compositions, matrix reversal occurs — a fact corroborated by the available mechanical data for this blend.     

Blends of SBS triblock copolymer with poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide)/polystyrene mixture

Blends of styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) or styrene–ethylene/1‐butene–styrene (SEBS) triblock copolymers with a commercial mixture of polystyrene (PS) and poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (PPO) were prepared in the melt at different temperatures according to the chemical kind of the copolymer. Although solution‐cast SBS/PPO and SBS/PS blends were already known in the literature, a general and systematic study of the miscibility of the PS/PPO blend with a styrene‐based triblock copolymer in the melt was still missing. The thermal and mechanical behavior of SBS/(PPO/PS) blends was investigated by means of DSC and dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMTA). The results were then compared to analogous SEBS/(PPO/PS) blends, for which the presence of a saturated olefinic block allowed processing at higher temperatures (220°C instead of 180°C). All the blends were further characterized by SEM and TGA to tentatively relate the observed properties with the blends' morphology and degradation temperature. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2698–2705, 2003     

Binary mixtures of polyethylene and oxidized wax: Dependency of thermal and mechanical properties upon mixing procedure

The influence of the preparation procedure on the thermal and mechanical properties of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE)– and LDPE–oxidized wax blends was investigated. It was found that mechanically mixed blends show reduced thermal stability as well as ultimate mechanical properties (stress and strain at break) compared to that of extrusion mixed blends. However, the structure of the blend and consequently its thermal and mechanical behavior also depend on the initial morphology of polyethylene. DSC measurements show miscibility up to high wax contents in both blend types, but increasing the amount of wax in LDPE blends induces increasing crystallinity. As a result, the LDPE/wax blends show improved thermal stability of between 20 and 50°C at low wax concentrations. Although the elasticity modulus of the blends increases, increasing the amount of wax generally degrades the mechanical properties. The main reason for this is the reduced number of tie chains. Changes in the average concentration of tie chains with increasing wax content were calculated and a correlation was made with the ultimate properties of the blends. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2446–2456, 2003     

Miscibility of blends of ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer and polypropylene

The miscibility of polymers is not only an important basis for selecting a proper blending method, but it is also one of the key factors in determining the morphology and properties of the blends. The miscibility between ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM) and polypropylene (PP) was explored by means of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that a decrease in the PP content and an increase of the crosslinking density of EPDM in the EPDM/PP blends caused the glass‐transition temperature peaks of EPDM to shift from a lower temperature to higher one, yet there was almost no variance in the glass‐transition temperature peaks of PP and the degree of crystallinity of PP decreased. It was observed that the blends prepared with different mixing equipment, such as a single‐screw extruder and an open mill, had different mechanical properties and blends prepared with the former had better mechanical properties than those prepared with the latter. The TEM micrographs revealed that the blends were composed of two phases: a bright, light PP phase and a dark EPDM phase. As the crosslinking degree of EPDM increased, the interface between the phases of EPDM and PP was less defined and the EPDM gradually dispersed in the PP phase became a continuous phase. The results indicated that EPDM and PP were both partially miscible. The mechanical properties of the blends had a lot to do with the blend morphology and the miscibility between the blend components. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 315–322, 2002