Interrelationship of thermal and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate)/graphene nanocomposites

In the present work, attempts were made to investigate the thermal and mechanical properties of melt‐processed poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PEN) blends and its nanocomposites containing graphene by using differential scanning calorimetry and tensile test experimenting. The results showed that crystallinity, which depends on a blend ratio, completely disappeared in a composition of 50/50. By introducing graphene to PET, even in low concentrations, the crystallinity of samples increased, while the nanocomposite of PEN indicated reverse behavior, and the crystallinity was reduced by adding graphene. In the case of PET‐rich (75/25) nanocomposite blends, by increasing the nano content in the blend, the crystallinity of the samples was enhanced. This behavior was attributed to the nucleating effect of graphene particles in the samples. From the results of mechanical experiments, it was found in PET‐rich blends that by increasing the PEN/PET ratio, the modulus of samples decreased, whereas in the case of PEN‐rich blends, a slight increment of modulus is seen as a result of the increment of the PEN/PET ratio. The two contradicting behaviors were attributed to the reduction of crystallinity of PET‐rich blends by enhancement of PEN/PET ratio and the rigid structure of PEN chains in PEN‐rich blends. Unlike the different modulus change of PET‐rich and PEN‐rich blends, the nanocomposites of these blends similarly indicated an increment of modulus and characteristics of rigid materials by increasing the nano content. Furthermore, the same behavior was detected in nanocomposites of each polymer (PET and PEN nanocomposites). The alteration from ductile to rigid conduction was related to the impedance in the role of graphene plates against the flexibility of polymer chains and high values of graphene modulus. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 23:210–218, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Melt spinning and annealing of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/p‐hydroxybenzoate liquid crystalline polymer

Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/p‐hydroxybenzoate (PET/PHB) copolymer materials have relatively low melt viscosity because of the 60 mol % PHB material having a value that is lower by approximately two orders of magnitude than the value for PET homopolymer. The structure development during melt spinning and thermal treatment (annealing) of liquid crystalline copolyesters, with a rigid backbone structure, were analyzed through the density, birefringence, X‐ray diffraction, DSC, dynamic viscoelasticity, and tensile testing. As the take‐up velocity increased, the birefringence of PET/PHB as‐spun fiber increased, which indicated that it directly influenced the initial modulus and specific stress. The lateral packing of PHB molecular chain in a copolymer was shown to be loosened in the course of thermal treatment. The thermal treatment slightly increased the crystal orientation factor, whereas total molecular orientation was decreased by annealing. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1265–1278, 2004     

Recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) as polymer‐polymer composites

Microfibrillar reinforced composites (MFC) comprising an isotropic matrix from a lower melting polymer reinforced by microfibrils of a higher melting polymer were manufactured under industrially relevant conditions and processed via injection molding. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) (matrix) and recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) (reinforcing material) from bottles were melt blended (in 30/70 and 50/50 PET/LDPE wt ratio) and extruded, followed by continuous drawing, pelletizing and injection molding of dogbone samples. Samples of each stage of MFC manufacturing and processing were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and mechanical testing. SEM and WAXS showed that the extruded blend is isotropic but becomes highly oriented after drawing, being converted into a polymer‐polymer composite upon injection molding at temperatures below the melting temperature of PET. This MFC is characterized by an isotropic LDPE matrix reinforced by randomly distributed PET microfibrils, as concluded from the WAXS patterns and SEM observations. The MFC dogbone samples show impressive mechanical properties—the elastic modulus is about 10 times higher than that of LDPE and about three times higher than reinforced LDPE with glass spheres, approaching the modulus of LDPE reinforced with 30 wt% short‐glass fibers (GF). The tensile strength is at least two times higher than that of LDPE or of reinforced LDPE with glass spheres, approaching that of reinforced LDPE with 30 wt% GF. The impact strength of LDPE increases by 50% after reinforcement with PET. It is concluded that: (i) the MFC approach can be applied in industrially relevant conditions using various blend partners, and (ii) the MFC concept represents an attractive alternative for recycling of PET as well as other polymers.     

The morphology and degradation behavior of electrospun poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)/Magnetite and poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate)/Magnetite composites

Electrospinning of biodegradable poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)/magnetite and poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)/magnetite composites in 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE) and chloroform are investigated to develop nonwoven nanofibrous structure. Ultrafine PHB/magnetite fibers are obtained and the resulting fiber diameters are in the range of 690–710 nm and 8.0–8.4 µm for the polymer dissolved in TFE and chloroform. The surface of PHB composites fiber fabricated in chloroform contains porous structures, which are not observed for the sample of PHB composites fiber dissolved in TFE. The fiber diameters for PHBV5/magnetite composites are in the range of 500–540 nm and 2.3–2.5 µm, depending on the use of TFE and chloroform. The average diameters of PHBV5/magnetite composite fibers are smaller than those of PHB/magnetite composites fiber. All electrospun PHB/magnetite and composite fibers are superparamagnetic. The degradation behaviors of PHB/magnetite and PHBV5/magnetite composite fibers were investigated using Caldimonas manganoxidans. For the fabricated composite fibers, it is found that the degradation rate increased with the increasing loading of magnetite nanoparticles. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41070.     

Continuous surface modification process with ultraviolet/ozone for improving interfacial adhesion of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/epoxy composites

This study proposed a continuous UV/ozone surface modification process for the production of polymeric fiber‐reinforced polymer composite. A gas phase photoreactor using the conventional low‐pressure mercury UV lamps and the economically made ozone generators were designed and constructed. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers and epoxy resin were chosen as a reinforcement and a matrix, respectively. The synergistic effects of UV and various gas species (nitrogen, air, oxygen, air/ozone, and oxygen/ozone) exposure as well as the effects of exposure time, i.e., 2, 5, and 10 min, on the morphology and chemistry of PET‐fiber surfaces were investigated by using a scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive x‐ray analysis (SEM/EDX). The tensile testing and analysis of fractography of the resulted composites were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the process. The SEM/EDX results showed that the effects of the treatment were dependent on both the concentration of reactive species present in the gases and the exposure time. The PET fibers treated under UV/O₂ + O₃ exposure for 5 min yielded the resulting composite with the highest tensile strength value. Under this condition, the tensile strength of the composite can be increased up to 63% in comparison with that of the untreated PET fiber/epoxy composite. The results are of interest for application as an in‐line surface modification for composite productions. POLYM. COMPOS., 27:484–490, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) blends

The crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PET/PEN) blends were investigated by DSC as functions of crystallization temperature, blend composition, and PET and PEN source. Isothermal crystallization kinetics were evaluated in terms of the Avrami equation. The Avrami exponent (n) is different for PET, PEN, and the blends, indicating different crystallization mechanisms occurring in blends than those in pure PET and PEN. Activation energies of crystallization were calculated from the rate constants, using an Arrhenius‐type expression. Regime theory was used to elucidate the crystallization course of PET/PEN blends as well as that of unblended PET and PEN. The transition from regime II to regime III was clearly observed for each blend sample as the crystallization temperature was decreased. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 23–37, 2001     

Dynamic mechanical analysis of oil palm microfibril‐reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene rubber composites

The dynamic mechanical properties of microfibers of oil palm‐reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) composites were investigated as a function of fiber content, temperature, treatment, and frequency. The storage modulus (E′) was found to increase with weight fraction of microfibrils due to the increased stiffness imparted by the strong adhesion between the polar matrix and the hydrophilic microfibrils. The damping properties were found to decrease with increase in fiber loading. As the fiber content increases, the damping nature of the composite decreases because of the increased stiffness imparted by the natural fibers. By steam explosion method (STEX), microfibrils are separated from fibers. Natural fibers were undergone treatment such as mercerization, benzoylation, and silane treatment. The NBR is modified by the addition of resorcinol‐hexa‐hydrated silica (HRH) bonding agent. Also dicumyl peroxide (DCP) is used as an alternating vulcanizing agent in the system. In the case of composites containing chemically modified fibers, storage modulus were found to increase. Cole–Cole analysis was made to study the phase behavior of the composite samples. Activation energy for the relaxation processes in different composites was calculated. Morphological studies using scanning electron microscopy of tensile fracture surfaces of treated and untreated composites indicated better fiber matrix/adhesion in the case of treated microfibril‐reinforced composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Glass fibers reinforced poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate)/ethylene propylene diene monomer composites: Structure,mechanical, and thermal properties

Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) was blended with glass fibers (GFs)‐filled poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PEN) composites to improve the impact properties of PEN. The impact strength of PEN/EPDM/GF composite (PEN/EPDM = 60/40) was about 62 J/m, which was nearly four times higher than the PEN/GF composite without EPDM. At the same time, the tensile strength and flexural modulus were still maintained at considerable values since the GFs compensated the loss of mechanical properties of PEN by incorporation of EPDM. The scanning electron microscopy results showed that the GFs were orientated and homogenously dispersed in the PEN matrix and, after incorporation of EPDM, the surface of GFs were covered by a matrix layer which became coarse and thick with increasing EPDM content. The dynamic mechanical analysis results showed the poor compatibility between PEN and EPDM. The thermal gravimetric analysis revealed that the PEN matrix protected the dispersed EPDM domains, resulting in an increased maximum peak temperature (T_max) of the EPDM phase. At last, the results of differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated that incorporation of EPDM led to an increase in crystallization rate and improvement in crystallization temperature. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:939–947, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

On the interrelationship of transreaction with viscoelastic properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene naphthalate) blends in the presence of nanoclay

An attempt was made to explore the effects of the interchange reactions on the viscoelastic behavior of binary blends based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN) and their nanocomposites. It was seen that with an increase in the number of extrusion runs and mixing temperature, the extent of reaction (X) and degree of randomness (RD) both increased, whereas the average sequence block lengths values were decreased. On the contrary, the blend composition did not play a significant role on X and RD values. Addition of nanoclay inhibited the transreactions in PET/PEN blends. The absence of crystallization peaks implied that the crystalline structure was destroyed as a result of blending and an amorphous system was created possibly due to the transreactions simultaneously with the formation of random copolymers inhibiting the crystallization process. The rheological investigations showed that the addition of PEN into the PEN/PET blends enhanced the storage modulus, loss modulus, and complex viscosity. The viscosity upswing observed at low‐frequency region in the case of nanocomposite systems evidently confirmed the occurrence of transreactions. Nonetheless, a significant increment in the viscoelastic properties was perceived in the presence of nanoclay corroborating the proper nanoclay distribution throughout the PET/PEN blend system. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 53:2556–2567, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Relationship between tensile properties and ballistic performance of poly(ethylene naphthalate) woven and nonwoven fabrics

In this study, we investigated the effect of tensile properties of poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN) yarns on the ballistic performance of woven and nonwoven soft and composite armors. The results of ballistic tests of PEN armors were compared with Kevlar 49 armors as a reference. Based on these results, the Cunniff's equation was revised by removing the fiber elongation at break to predict the relationship between tensile properties and ballistic performances of PEN fibers. The calculations showed that by increasing tenacity of PEN fibers from 8.5 g/den (commercial product) to 12.5 g/den (strongest up to date PEN fibers produced by a novel melt spinning process discovered by our research group), the weight ratio of PEN to Kevlar 49 decreased from 1.8 to 1.35 with the same ballistic performance. Contrary to the results of the soft armors, composite armors made of high modulus PEN woven fabric showed a 17% lower ballistic resistance compared to the composite armor made of low modulus PEN woven fabric. The results of ballistic tests indicated that high tenacity PEN fibers produced in this research could have potential in soft and composite armors, and high velocity impact applications or improve performance of PEN in its current applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate)–poly(ethylene naphthalene 2,6‐dicarboxylate) blends with montmorillonite clay

The production and properties of blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(ethylene naphthalene 2,6‐dicarboxylate) (PEN) with three modified clays are reported. Octadecylammonium chloride and maleic anhydride (MAH) are used to modify the surface of the montmorillonite–Na⁺ clay particles (clay–Na⁺) to produce clay–C18 and clay–MAH, respectively, before they are mixed with the PET/PEN system. The transesterification degree, hydrophobicity and the effect of the clays on the mechanical, rheological and thermal properties are analysed. The PET–PEN/clay–C18 system does not show any improvements in the mechanical properties, which is attributed to poor exfoliation. On the other hand, in the PET–PEN/clay–MAH blends, the modified clay restricts crystallization of the matrix, as evidenced in the low value of the crystallization enthalpy. The process‐induced PET–PEN transesterification reaction is affected by the clay particles. Clay–C18 induces the largest proportion of naphthalate–ethylene–terephthalate (NET) blocks, as opposed to clay–Na⁺ which renders the lowest proportion. The clay readily incorporates in the bulk polymer, but receding contact‐angle measurements reveal a small influence of the particles on the surface properties of the sample. The clay–Na⁺ blend shows a predominant solid‐like behaviour, as evidenced by the magnitude of the storage modulus in the low‐frequency range, which reflects a high entanglement density and a substantial degree of polymer–particle interactions. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

A comparative study of structure–property relationships in highly oriented thermoplastic and thermotropic polyesters with different chemical structures

Structure and properties of commercially available fully oriented thermoplastic and thermotropic polyester fibers have been investigated using optical birefringence, infrared spectroscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and tensile testing methods. The effect of the replacement of p‐phenylene ring in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with stiffer and bulkier naphthalene ring in Poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PEN) structure to result in an enhanced birefringence and tensile modulus values is shown. There exists a similar case with the replacement of linear flexible ethylene units in PET and PEN fibers with fully aromatic rigid rings in thermotropic polyesters. Infrared spectroscopy is used in the determination of crystallinity values through the estimation of trans conformer contents in the crystalline phase. The analysis of results obtained from infrared spectroscopy data of highly oriented PET and PEN fibers suggests that trans conformers in the crystalline phase are more highly oriented than gauche conformers in the amorphous phase. Analysis of X‐ray diffraction traces and infrared spectra shows the presence of polymorphic structure consisting of α‐ and β‐phase structures in the fully oriented PEN fiber. The results suggest that the trans conformers in the β‐phase is more highly oriented than the α‐phase. X‐ray analysis of Vectran® MK fiber suggests a lateral organization arising from high temperature modification of poly(p‐oxybenzoate) structure, whereas the structure of Vectran® HS fiber contains regions adopting lateral chain packing similar to the room temperature modification of poly(p‐oxybenzoate). Both fibers are shown by X‐ray diffraction and infrared analyses to consist of predominantly oriented noncrystalline (63–64%) structure together with smaller proportion of oriented crystalline (22–24%) and unoriented noncrystalline (12–15%) structures. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 142–160, 2006     

Morphology and barrier mechanism of biaxially oriented poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) blends

To improve the barrier properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), PET/poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PEN) blends with different concentrations of PEN were prepared and were then processed into biaxially oriented PET/PEN films. The air permeability of bioriented films of pure PET, pure PEN, and PET/PEN blends were tested by the differential pressure method. The morphology of the blends was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation of the impact fracture surfaces of extruded PET/PEN samples, and the morphology of the films was also investigated by SEM. The results of the study indicated that PEN could effectively improve the barrier properties of PET, and the barrier properties of the PET/PEN blends improved with increasing PEN concentration. When the PEN concentration was equal to or less than 30%, as in this study, the PET/PEN blends were phase‐separated; that is, PET formed the continuous phase, whereas PEN formed a dispersed phase of particles, and the interface was firmly integrated because of transesterification. After the PET/PEN blends were bioriented, the PET matrix contained a PEN microstructure consisting of parallel and extended, separate layers. This multilayer microstructure was characterized by microcontinuity, which resulted in improved barrier properties because air permeation was delayed as the air had to detour around the PEN layer structure. At a constant PEN concentration, the more extended the PEN layers were, the better the barrier properties were of the PET/PEN blends. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1309–1316, 2006     

Properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) containing epoxy‐functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) containing epoxy‐functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) was prepared by melt‐mixing and in situ polymerization methods. The melt‐mixed composite showed phase separation while the in situ polymerized composite did not, based on SEM characterization. During melt mixing, the reaction between the epoxy groups of POSS and hydroxyl groups of PET occurred, based on DSC results. DSC results on the in situ polymerization product showed formation of a lower‐melting component compared with PET. The tensile strength and modulus of the melt‐mixed composite fiber decreased compared with those properties of PET, whereas those of the in situ polymerized composite showed slightly higher values than PET despite the relatively small amounts (1 wt%) of POSS used. Dynamic mechanical analysis results showed an increase in storage modulus for the in situ polymerized composite of POSS and PET compared with PET over the temperature range of 40 °C to 140 °C. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)/linear low‐density polyethylene blends through physical processing

Poly(styrene‐ethylene/butylene‐styrene) (SEBS) was used as a compatibilizer to improve the thermal and mechanical properties of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)/linear low‐density polyethylene (R‐PET/LLDPE) blends. The blends compatibilized with 0–20 wt % SEBS were prepared by low‐temperature solid‐state extrusion. The effect of SEBS content was investigated using scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimeter, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and mechanical property testing. Morphology observation showed that the addition of 10 wt % SEBS led to the deformation of dispersed phase from spherical to fibrous structure, and microfibrils were formed at the interface between two phases in the compatibilized blends. Both differential scanning calorimeter and DMA results revealed that the blend with 20 wt % SEBS showed better compatibility between PET and LLDPE than other blends studied. The addition of 20 wt % of SEBS obviously improved the crystallizibility of PET as well as the modulus of the blends. DMA analysis also showed that the interaction between SEBS and two other components enhanced at high temperature above 130°C. The impact strength of the blend with 20 wt % SEBS increased of 93.2% with respect to the blend without SEBS, accompanied by only a 28.7% tensile strength decrease. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Thermal decomposition behavior of poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate)/silica nanocomposites

Poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PEN) nanocomposites reinforced with silica nanoparticles were prepared by direct melt compounding. Dynamic thermogravimetric analysis was conducted on the PEN/silica nanocomposites to clarify the effect of silica nanoparticle on the thermal decomposition behavior of the resultant nanocomposites. There is a significant dependence of thermal decomposition behavior for PEN/silica nanocomposites on the content of silica nanoparticles and heating rate. The variation of the activation energy for thermal decomposition reflected the improvement of the thermal stability of the PEN/silica nanocomposites. The unique characteristics of silica nanoparticles resulted in physical barrier effect against the thermal decomposition, leading to the enhancement of the thermal stability of the PEN/silica nanocomposites. The incorporation of silica nanoparticles into the PEN matrix increased the storage modulus of the PEN/silica nanocomposites and made it possible for them to sustain higher modulus at higher temperature relative to pure PEN. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Structure and properties of thermotropic liquid crystal polymer and poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) blend fibers

BACKGROUND: The melt blending of thermotropic liquid crystal polymers (TLCPs) using conventional thermoplastics has attracted much attention due to the improved strength and tensile modulus of the resulting polymer composites. Moreover, because of their low melt viscosity, the addition of small amounts of TLCPs can reduce the melt viscosity of polymer blends, thereby enhancing the processability. RESULTS: In this study, TLCP/poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PEN) blend fibers were prepared by melt blending and melt spinning to improve fiber performance and processability. The relation between the structure and the mechanical properties of TLCP/PEN blend fibers and the effect of annealing on these properties were also investigated. The mechanical properties of the blend fibers were improved by increasing the spinning speed and by adding TLCP. These properties of the blend fibers were also improved by annealing. The tensile strength of TLCP5/PEN spun at a spinning speed of 2.0 km h^?1 and annealed at 235 °C for 2 h was about three times higher than that of TLCP5/PEN spun at a spinning speed of 0.5 km h^?1. The double melting behavior observed in the annealed fibers depended on the annealing temperature and time. CONCLUSION: The improvement of the mechanical properties of the blend fibers with spinning speed, by adding TLCP and by annealing was attributed to an increase in crystallite size, an increase in the degree of crystallinity and an improvement in crystal perfection. The double melting behavior was influenced by the distribution in lamella thickness that occurred because of a melt‐reorganization process during differential scanning calorimetry scans. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Glass‐transition and melting behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) blends

The glass‐transition temperatures and melting behaviors of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PET/PEN) blends were studied. Two blend systems were used for this work, with PET and PEN of different grades. It was found that T_g increases almost linearly with blend composition. Both the Gibbs–DiMarzio equation and the Fox equation fit experimental data very well, indicating copolymer‐like behavior of the blend systems. Multiple melting peaks were observed for all blend samples as well as for PET and PEN. The equilibrium melting point was obtained using the Hoffman–Weeks method. The melting points of PET and PEN were depressed as a result of the formation of miscible blends and copolymers. The Flory–Huggins theory was used to study the melting‐point depression for the blend system, and the Nishi–Wang equation was used to calculate the interaction parameter (χ₁₂). The calculated χ₁₂ is a small negative number, indicating the formation of thermodynamically stable, miscible blends. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 11–22, 2001     

Uniaxial orientation and tensile properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalate) blends

Amorphous films of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalate) (PET/PEN) blends with different blend ratios were uniaxially drawn by solid-state coextrusion and the structure development during solid state deformation was studied. As-prepared blends showed two T_gs. The lower T_g was ∼72 °C, independent of the blend ratio. In contrast, the higher T_g increased with increasing PEN content. Thus, the coextrusion was carried out around the higher T_g of the sample. At a given draw ratio of 5, which was close to the achievable maximum draw ratio, the tensile strength of the drawn samples from the initially amorphous state increased gradually with increasing PEN content. On the other hand, the tensile modulus was found to decrease initially, reaching a minimum at 40-60 wt% PEN, and then increased as the PEN content increased. The results indicate that we can get the drawn films with a moderate tensile modulus and a high tensile strength. The drawn samples from the blends containing 40-60 wt% of PEN showed a maximum elongation at break, and a maximum thermal shrinkage around 100 °C. Also, the degree of stress-induced crystallinity showed a broad minimum around the blend ratio of 50% of PEN. These morphological characteristics explained well the effects of blend ratio on the tensile modulus and strength of drawn PET/PEN blend films.     

Morphology and electrical properties of carbon black/poly(ethylene terephthalate)/polypropylene composite

This work attempts to develop a carbon black (CB) filled conductive polymer composite based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and polypropylene (PP). The process follows by localizing the CB particles in the minor phase (PET), and then the conductive masterbatch was elongated to form conductive microfibrils in PP matrix during melt extrusion process. After compression molding, a fine conductive three‐dimensional microfibrillar network is constructed. For comparison purpose, CB, PET, and PP are mixed using different pattern. The morphology and the volume resistivity of the obtained composites are evaluated. Electrical conductivity investigation shows that the percolation threshold and resistivity values are dependent on the CB concentration. The best morphological observation shows that the PET phases forms well‐defined microfibrils, and CB particles overwhelmingly localize in the surfaces of the PET microfibrils, which led to a very low percolation threshold, i.e., 4.5 phr, and a reasonable conductivity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011