Polyester–polycarbonate blends. VI. Branched aliphatic polyesters

Polycarbonate blends with poly(pivalolactone) were found to be completely immiscible based on the glass transitional behavior observed by thermal analysis. Crystallinity of the poly(pivalolactone) was unaffected by blending with polycarbonate. The heat of mixing of low molecular weight analogs of this system, ethyl pivalate and diphenyl carbonate, were found to be endothermic, in contrast to exothermic mixing observed for similar linear esters. Methyl branching adjacent to the ester carbonyl is believed to shield the specific interaction of this unit with the aromatic carbonate structure which leads to exothermic mixing and miscibility of similar unbranched esters with polycarbonate. Blends of poly(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propylene succinate) were found to be partially miscible with polycarbonate because the shielding is not so great since the methyl groups are further removed from the ester group.     

Polyester–polycarbonate blends. VII. Ring-containing polyesters

Thermal analysis was used to show that blends of poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene succinate) (PCDS) with polycarbonate (PC) are completely miscible in the amorphous phase. Blends of PC with poly(ethylene orthophthalate) (PEOP) were found to have a miscibility gap in the midconcentration range and are thus not miscible in all proportions. Similarly, a commercial copolyester formed from ethylene glycol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, terephthalic acid, and isophthalic acid is partially miscible with PC. These observations are discussed in terms of the structural features of the three polyesters.     

Polyester–polycarbonate blends. I. Poly(butylene terephthalate)

Melt blends of bisphenol A polycarbonate with poly(butylene terephthalate) were studied by DTA and dynamic mechanical behavior to determine their state of miscibility. Both techniques showed multiple glass transitions indicative of incomplete miscibility in the amorphous phase. However, these transitions in some cases did not correspond to those in the pure components and varied with overall blend composition in some instances. This indicates that there are amorphous phases containing both components, i.e., partial miscibility. This view was supported by the crystallization behavior of the polyester. Two crystallization exotherms were observed for quenched samples, which is interpreted as polyester crystallization from two separate phases, one richer in this component than the other. Other interpretations of these results are discussed.     

Polyester–polycarbonate blends. II. Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Melt blends of polycarbonate and poly(ethylene terephthalate) were prepared and examined for their transitional behavior by thermal analysis and dynamic mechanical testing. A single T_g was observed for compositions containing more than 60%–70% PET by weight while compositions below this range showed two glass transitions. From this it is concluded that PC and PET are completely miscible in the amorphous phase for PET-rich compositions, whereas PC-rich blends separate into two amorphous phases which apparently contain both components. Melting point and crystallization behavior are conssistent with these conclusions and suggest that very little if any interchange reactions occur between the ester and carbonate groups during melt mixing.     

Polyester–Polycarbonate blends. IV. Poly(ε-caprolactone)

Polycarbonate blends with poly(ε-caprolactone) were prepared by both melt-blending and solution-blending techniques, and the properties of these blends were studied by thermal analytical and dynamic mechanical testing methods. Each blend composition was found to have a single glass transition temperature, and the temperature location of this transition was found to be a function only of blend composition and to be independent of the blending technique employed. This behavior led to the conclusions that these two polymers form blends containing a single amorphous phase comprised of the two materials and that this miscible phase results primarily from physical rather than chemical interactions between the two polymers. A reversible liquid-liquid-type phase separation was found to occur when the blend system was heated to high melt temperatures. The temperature required for phase separation, the lower critical solution temperature, was found to vary with blend composition and component molecular weight in the manner expected from thermodynamic considerations. The level of crystallinity of poly(ε-caprolactone) was affected by the presence of the polycarbonate. The polycarbonate also crystallized to an appreciable extent in many of the blends.     

Polyester–Polycarbonate blends. III. Polyesters based on 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol/terephthalic acid/isophthalic acid

Melt blends of polycarbonate with Kodel, a homopolyester formed from 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and terephthalic acid, and with Kodar, a copolyester formed by replacing some of the terephthalic acid with isophthalic acid, were prepared and their transitional behavior were examined by thermal analysis and dynamic mechanical testing. Blends formed with either polyester were found to have a single T_g over the entire compositional range. Single composition-dependent α- and β-relaxation temperatures were also observed for blends made with either polyester at all compositions. From these data it is concluded that both Kodel and Kodar blends with polycarbonate form miscible amorphous phases. The role of ester–carbonate interchange reactions during melt mixing was experimentally examined and found to be unimportant, from which it is concluded that the observed miscible phase formation is due to physical interactions between the blend components.     

Viscoelastic properties of polystyrene–polycarbonate blends in melt

Viscoelastic properties of polymer blend melts of polystyrene–polycarbonate were investigated in a wide range of temperatures, frequencies, and compositions. It was established that the more essential changes in viscoelastic characteristics took place at small concentrations of one of the components and at low frequencies, probably because of a putting down of the slow relaxation processes. The marked decrease in the viscosity of the melts takes place in the region of phase separation due to thermodynamic incompatibility of the components and is in a good correlation with the appearance of excess free volume in the system.     

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.     

Boiling water aging of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene resin and polycarbonate/low‐density polyester blends

The effects of boiling water on the mechanical and thermal properties and morphologies of polycarbonate (PC), PC/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene resin (PC/ABS), and PC/low‐density polyester (PC/LDPE) blends (compositions of PC/ABS and PC/LDPE blends were 80/20) were studied. PC and the PC/ABS blend had a transition from ductile to brittle materials after boiling water aging. The PC/LDPE blend was more resistant to boiling water aging than PC and the PC/ABS blend. The thermal properties of glass‐transition temperature (T_g) and melting temperature (T_m) in PC and the blends were measured by DSC. The T_g of PC and PC in the PC/ABS and PC/LDPE blends decreased after aging. The T_g of the ABS component in the PC/ABS blend did not change after aging. The supersaturated water in PC clustered around impurities or air bubbles leading to the formation of microcracks, which was the primary reason for the ductile–brittle transition in PC, and the microcracks could not recover after PC was treated at 160°C for 6 h. The PC/ABS blend showed slightly higher resistance to boiling water than did PC. The highest resistance to boiling water of the PC/LDPE blend may be attributed to its special structural morphology. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 589–595, 2003     

Dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymer blends

Blends of polycarbonate (PC) and poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐butadiene‐co‐styrene) (ABS) with different compositions are characterized by means of dynamic mechanical measurements. The samples show phase separation. The shift in the temperatures of the main dynamic mechanical relaxation shown by the blend with respect to those of the pure components is attributed to the migration of oligomers present in the ABS toward the PC in the melt blending process. A comparison with other techniques (dielectric and calorimetric analysis) and the application of the Takayanagi three block model confirm this hypothesis. In all the studied blend compositions (ABS weight up to 28.6%) the PC appears as the matrix where a disperse phase of ABS is present. The scanning and transmission electron microscopy micrographs show that the size of the ABS particles increases when the proportion of ABS in the blend increases. The FTIR results indicate that the interaction between both components are nonpolar in nature and can be enhanced by the preparation procedure. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1507–1516, 2002     

Melting and crystallization behavior of miscible copolyester–polycarbonate blends

The melting and crystallization behavior of Kodar, a copolyester formed from 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and a mixture of terephthalic and isophthalic acids, and its miscible blends with polycarbonate was examined. The results of the melting behavior are discussed in terms of crystallization-induced chemical rearrangements and the copolymeric character of Kodar and interchange reactions between components when polycarbonate is present in the blend. For various reasons, the melting behavior cannot be extrapolated to infinite crystal size using the Hoffman–Weeks approach. Crystallization kinetics follows the Avrami equation, with rates being higher when the crystallization temperatuare is approached from the glass rather than from the melt. The kinetic data are discussed in terms of modern theories. An approximate melting point depression analysis is used to estimate the interaction parameter for the blend, and the result obtained is compared to a value from another technique.     

Properties of extrusion cast sheets of blends of natural and aliphatic polyesters

Natural and synthetic polymers of various compositions were blended in a twin‐screw extruder. These blends were then sheeted into thin sheets with a coat hanger die attached to a single‐screw extruder. The natural content in the blend was varied between 5 and 50 wt %, and the mechanical and morphological properties of the blends were evaluated. At 50 wt % natural content, the tensile strength decreased to a third of that of the synthetic polymer. The use of a compatibilizer doubled the tensile strength for the 50 wt % natural content blend. The sheets displayed equal strengths in the machine and transverse direction. The tear strength decreased as the natural content increased, and the decrease was greater in the anhydride‐compatibilized blends than in the uncompatibilized blends. The blends displayed two distinct glass transitions, one for each component, indicating phase separation. The crystallinity of the blends decreased as the starch content increased. This result was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which showed that the melting endotherm decreased as the starch content increased. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) results showed that the peak position was at the same location irrespective of blend composition, indicating minimal degradation of starch moieties. The water absorption was diffusion controlled, with a sharp initial burst of water uptake. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed melting of starch granules that formed a co‐continuous phase with the synthetic polyester. Increasing the natural content also increased the surface roughness of the sheets. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1545–1554, 2003     

Thermal characterization and morphological study of polyphenylene sulfide–polycarbonate blends

The thermal behavior and phase morphology of binary blends of poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) with polycarbonate (PC) have been investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis indicate the blends are immiscible, but the glass transition temperature of PC in the blends was found to be decreased due to the degradation of the PC. The PC degradation was investigated by measuring the molecular weight of PC extracted from the blends. Rheological properties of the blends were also studied using a rheodynamic spectrometer. An inversion of the phase morphology was observed from the scanning electron microscopy and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The increase of crystallinity of the PPS in the blends was found from a DSC study.     

Properties of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene/polycarbonate blends with styrene–butadiene–styrene block copolymer

The importance of alloys and blends has increased gradually in the polymer industry so that the plastics industry has moved toward complex systems. The main reasons for making polymer blends are the strengthening and the economic aspects of the resultant product. In this study, I attempted to improve compatibility in a polymer blend composed of two normally incompatible constituents, namely, acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC), through the addition of a compatibilizer. The compatibilizing agent, styrene–butadiene–styrene block copolymer (SBS), was added to the polymer blend in ratios of 1, 5, and 10% with a twin‐screw extruder. The morphology and the compatibility of the mixtures were examined by scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Further, all three blends of ABS/PC/SBS were subjected to examination to obtain their yield and tensile strengths, elasticity modulus, percentage elongation, Izod impact strength, hardness, heat deflection temperature, Vicat softening point, and melt flow index. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2521–2527, 2004     

Miscible blends of a vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride copolymer with aliphatic polyesters

A copolymer of vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride containing 13.5% by weight of the latter has been solution blended with four aliphatic polyesters: poly(?-caprolactone), poly(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propylene adipate), poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene succinate), and poly(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propylene succinate). Each blend was examined visually and by differential scanning calorimetry. All blends with the copolymer form a single miscible amorphous phase at all compositions and all temperatures except for the latter mentioned polyester, which exhibits liquid–liquid phase separation at temperatures above a measured cloud point curve. Information about interactions between the components in each blend is estimated from melting point data and discussed.     

Miscible binary blends containing the polyhydroxy ether of bisphenol-a and various aliphatic polyesters

Blends of the polyhydroxy ether of bisphenol-A, Phenoxy, with the polyesters poly(1,4-butylene adipate), poly(ethylene adipate), poly(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propylene succinate), poly(2,2-dimethyl-1, 3-propylene adipate), poly(1,4-cyclohexane-dimethanol succinate), and poly(?-caprolactone), are found to exhibit the single, composition-dependent glass transition temperatures characteristic of miscible systems. Phenoxy blends containing poly(ethylene succinate), poly(hexamethylene succinate), or poly(pivaloactone) were found to be immiscible. Blend interaction parameters, obtained from analysis of the melting-point depressions observed for miscible blends containing crystallizable polyester components, are found to vary with polyester chemical structure so as to suggest an optimum density of ester groups in the polyester chain for achieving maximum interaction with Phenoxy. Too many or too few ester groups lead to immiscible polyester–Phenoxy blends.     

Weld‐line characteristics of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene blends. I. Effect of the processing temperature

The effects of the processing temperature on the morphology and mechanical properties at the weld line of 60/40 (w/w) polycarbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) copolymer blends were investigated. The influences of the incorporation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as a compatibilizer and an increase in the viscosity of the dispersed ABS domain phase were also studied. The ABS domain was well dispersed in the region below the V notch, and a coarse morphology in the core region was observed. When tensile stress was applied perpendicularly to the weld line, the fracture propagated along the weak region behind the weld part; there, the domain phase coalescence was significant because of the poor compatibility between PC and styrene–acrylonitrile (SAN). Phase coalescence became severe, and so the mechanical strength of the welded specimen decreased with an increasing injection‐molding temperature. The domain morphology became stable and the mechanical strength increased as the viscosity of the domain phase increased or some SAN was replaced with PMMA. That the morphology was well distributed behind the weld line and the mechanical properties of PC/ABS/PMMA blends were improved was attributed to the compatibilizing effect of PMMA. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 689–699, 2005     

Effect of styrene–isopren–styrene addition on the recycled polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene polymer blends

Interfacial agents as compatibilizers have recently been introduced into polymer blends to improve microstructure and mechanical properties of thermoplastics. In this way, it is possible to prepare a mixture of polymeric materials that can have superior mechanical properties over a wide temperature range. In this study, an incompatible blend of Polycarbonate (PC) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Copolymer were made compatible by addition of 5, 10, and 20% Styrene–Isopren–Styrene Copolymer (SIS). The mixing operation was conducted using a twin‐screw extruder. The morphology and the compatibility of the mixtures were examined by SEM and DSC techniques. Furthermore, the elastic modulus, tensile and yield strengths, percentage elongation, hardness, melt flow index, Izod impact resistance, heat deflection temperature (HDT), Vicat softening point values of polymer alloys of various ratios were determined. It was found that addition of SIS to the structures decreased the tensile strength, yield strength, elastic modulus, and hardness, whereas it increased Izod impact strength and percentage elongation values. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 559–566, 2006     

Phase behavior of blends of aliphatic polyesters with a vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride copolymer

A series of aliphatic polyesters having CH₂/COO ratios from 2 to 14 in their repeat units were blended with a copolymer of vinylidene chloride containing 13.5% by weight of vinyl chloride. Blends of polyesters having CH₂/COO < 4 did not form completely miscible amorphous phases, whereas polyesters having CH₂/COO ≥ 4 did form completely homogeneous amorphous phases for all temperatures below the decomposition point except for the polyester with CH₂/COO = 14 which showed reversible phase separation on heating, i.e., lower critical solution temperature behavior. Interaction parameters were estimated by melting point depression and by analog calorimetry. The behavior reported here is qualitatively similar to that reported earlier for blends of aliphatic polyesters with poly(vinyl chloride), polyepichlorohydrin, polycarbonate, styrene–allyl alcohol copolymers, and the hydroxy ether of bisphenol A.