Compatibilization of poly(vinyl chloride) and polystyrene blends with poly(styrene‐co‐n‐methylolacrylamide)

In this work, the compatibilization of blends of plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS) with poly(styrene‐co‐n‐methylolacrylamide) (PSnMA) was investigated. The PSnMA was synthesized by emulsion polymerization with different amounts of n‐methylolacrylamide (nMA). Particle size and phase behavior was determined by scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical properties were determined in an Universal Testing Machine. Micrographs revealed that an appreciable size reduction of the dispersed phase was achieved when small amounts of PSnMA were added to the blend, and as the amount of nMA was increased, particle size decreased. When the (PVC/PS/PSnMA) blend was subjected to solvent extraction to remove PS and unreacted PVC, the residue showed a single T_g. Tensile modulus and the ultimate strength of the blends increased with PSnMA content. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Effect of poly(epichlorohydrin) on the thermal and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)

Five kinds of polyepichlorohydrin (PECH) of different molecular weights were synthesized and characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Mechanical blending was used to mix PECH and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) together. The blends of different PVC/PECH ratios were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile tests, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). TGA results show the thermal stability of PVC/PECH blends is desirable. Tensile tests indicate elongation at break is raised by increasing both the amount and the molecular weight of PECH. DSC is used to determine the glass transition temperature of PECH, and a quite low T_g is obtained. DMA results indicate that PECH has a perfect compatibility with PVC, when PECH concentration is below 20 wt %. There is only one peak in each tan δ curve, and the corresponding T_g decreases as PECH amount increases. However, above 20 wt %, phase separation takes place. The molecular weight of PECH also has a great influence on the glass transition temperature of the blends. This study shows that PECH is an excellent plasticizer for PVC, and one can tailor the glass transition temperature and tensile properties by changing the amount and the molecular weight of PECH. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Factors influencing the impact strength of high impact polystyrene

The relationship between synthesis factors and the impact resistance of high impact polystyrene (HIPS) is investigated in the light of its morphology and dynamic mechanical properties. A decrease in polymerization temperature results in an increase in T_g, melt viscosity and molecular weight of the continuous polystyrene phase as characterized by gel permeation chromatography. The separated, occluded polystyrene phase however shows an invariant T_g suggesting that the grafting and/or crosslinking effect overweighs the molecular weight effect. The observed high impact strength has been correlated with the homogeneous 1-2 μ rubber particle size distribution, a comparatively sharp rubber T_g transition at lower temperature, and a much lower occluded polystyrene content in the dispersed phase.     

Particle Morphology and Density Characterization by Combined Mobility and Aerodynamic Diameter Measurements. Part 2: Application to Combustion-Generated Soot Aerosols as a Function of Fuel Equivalence Ratio

Composition, shape factor, size, and fractal dimension of soot aerosol particles generated in a propane/O₂, flame were determined as a function of the fuel equivalence ratio (φ). Soot particles were first size-selected by a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) and then analyzed by an Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS). The DMA provides particles of known mobility diameter (d_m ). The AMS quantitatively measures the mass spectrum of the nonrefractory components of the particles and also provides the vacuum aerodynamic diam eter (d_va ) corresponding to the particles of known mobility diameter. The measured d_m, d_va , and nonrefractory composition are used in a system of equations based on the formulation presented in the companion article to estimate the particle dynamic shape factor, total mass, and black carbon (BC) content. Fractal dimension was estimated based on the mass-mobility relationship. Two types of soot particles were observed depending on the fuel equivalence ratio. Type 1: for φ < 4 (lower propane/O₂), d_va ; was nearly constant and independent of d_m . The value of d_va increased with increasing φ. Analysis of the governing equations showed that these particles were highly irregular (likely fractal aggregates), with a dynamic shape factor that increased with d_m and φ. The fractal dimension of these particles was approximately 1.7. These particles were composed mostly of BC, with the organic carbon content increasing as φ increased. At φ = 1.85, the particles were about 90% BC, 5% PAH, and 5% aliphatic hydrocarbon (particle density = 1.80 g/cm³). Type 2: for φ > 4 (high propane/O₂), d_va was linearly proportional to d_m . Analysis of the governing equations showed that these particles were nearly spherical (likely compact aggregates), with a dynamic shape factor of 1.1 (versus 1 for a sphere) and a fr actal dimension of 2.95 (3 for a sphere). These particles were composed of about 50% PAH, 45% BC, and 5% aliphatic hydrocarbons (particle density = 1.50 g/cm³). These results help interpret some measurement s obtained in recent field studies.     

Influence of compatibilizer precursor structure on the phase distribution of low density poly(ethylene) in a poly(ethylene terephthalate) matrix

In attempt to enhance the compatibility of PET/LDPE blends by using a proper functionalized polymer as third component, diethyl maleate (DEM)‐functionalized ultralow density poly(ethylene) (ULDPE‐g‐DEM) and styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐1‐butene)‐b‐styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS‐g‐DEM) were prepared by radical functionalization in the melt. Immiscible PET/LDPE blends having compositions of 70/30 and 80/20 by weight were then extruded in the presence of 1–10% by weight of ULDPE‐g‐DEM and SEBS‐g‐DEM as compatibilizer precursors and ZnO (0.3% by weight) as transesterification catalyst. In both cases, evidences about the occurring of compatibilization between the two immiscible phases, thanks to the studied reactive processes, were obtained. Moreover, the phase distribution and particle size of blends were deeply investigated. Completely different kinds of phase morphology were achieved, as ULDPE‐g‐DEM stabilized a dispersed phase morphology, whereas SEBS‐g‐DEM favored the development of a cocontinuous phase morphology. The observed differences are tentatively explained onthe basis of reactivity and physical features of polymers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

EPDM/St‐An graft copolymerization reaction behavior by phase inversion emulsion and the toughness effect of EPDM‐g‐SAN on SAN resin

Styrene‐EPDM‐acrylonitrile tripolymer (EPDM‐g‐SAN) was synthesized by the graft copolymerization of styrene (St) and acrylonitrile (An) onto ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM) with “phase inversion” emulsification technique. The high impact strength engineering plastics AES was the blend of SAN resin and EPDM‐g‐SAN, which occupied good weathering and yellow discoloration resistivity. The effects of An percentage in comonomer and the weight proportion of EPDM to St‐An on graft copolymerization behavior and AES notched impact strength were studied. The results showed that monomer conversion ratio (CR) exhibited a peak when the An percentage changed, and the maximum value was 97.5%. Grafting ratio (GR) and grafting efficiency (GE) enhance as well. The notched impact strength of AES presented a peak with the maximum value of 53.0 KJ/m², when An percentage was at the range of 35–40%. The spectra of FTIR showed that St and An were graft onto the EPDM. DSC analysis illuminated that T_g of EPDM phase in the blends was lower than that of the pure EPDM. TEM and SEM micrographs indicated that the polarity of g‐SAN of EPDM‐g‐SAN was the main factor effect the particle morphology, in terms of size, distribution and isotropy. When weight ratio of St to An was 65/35, the polarity of g‐SAN chains was appropriate, and the EPDM‐g‐SAN particles dispersed well in the SAN matrix. The super impact toughness is interpreted in terms of EPDM phase cavitation and enhanced plastic shear yielding. The highest toughness occurs at an optimum EPDM‐g‐SAN phase particle size which is about 0.2 μm in SAN resin matrix. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

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.     

Experimental assessment of the thermodynamic theory of the compositional variation of Tg: PVC systems

The glass-transition temperatures (T_g's) and specific heats (C_p) of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and PVC plasticized with 5–120 phr di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DOA) and tri(2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate (TOTM) have been determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Measured T_g's were compared to predictions by the Couchman and Karasz (C–K) thermodynamic theory, three related empirical equations, and a new equation obtained from the C–K relation by assuming the product T_gΔC_p to be constant. It was found that the T_g's of the PVC/TOTM mixtures are adequately predicted only by the C–K and the derivative relation. The T_g's of the PVC/DOA mixtures follow a sigmoidal or cusp-like dependence on plasticizer composition as has been observed for some other PVC/plasticizer mixtures. In this case, the approximation afforded by the C–K or derivative equations is still superior to the empirical models over a wide composition range. Dynamic mechanical analysis of the PVC/DOA mixtures suggests that the DSC transitions may consist of two overlapping phase transitions. The reported sigmoidal composition dependence of the DSC T_g's may therefore result from the measured T_g's being weighted towards the temperature corresponding to the predominant dynamic mechanical transition (i.e., the high T_g phase at low plasticizer concentrations and the low T_g phase at high plasticizer concentrations). In such cases of partial phase separation, the C–K or the derivative equation may be used to estimate the composition of the two phases at each overall plasticizer concentration.     

Analysis of low‐density polyethylene‐g‐poly(vinyl chloride) copolymers formed in poly(vinyl chloride)/low‐density polyethylene melt blends with gel permeation chromatography and solid‐state 13C‐NMR

Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and solid‐state ¹³C‐NMR techniques were used to analyze the structural changes of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in blends of a low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and PVC during melt blending. The GPC results showed that the weight‐average molecular weight (M_w) of PVC increased with LDPE content up to 13.0 wt % and then decreased at a LDPE content of 16.7 wt %, whereas the number‐average molecular weight remained unchanged for all of LDPE contents used. The ¹³C‐NMR results suggest that the increase in M_w was associated with the formation of a LDPE‐g‐PVC structure, resulting from a PVC and LDPE macroradical cross‐recombination reaction during melt blending. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3167–3172, 2004     

Novel multimonomer‐grafted polypropylene preparation and application in polypropylene/poly(vinyl chloride) blends

A novel grafted polymer was prepared in one step through free‐radical melt grafting in a single‐screw extruder. It was shown that the addition of styrene (St) to the melt‐grafting system as a comonomer could significantly enhance the grafting degree of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto polypropylene (PP) and reduce the degradation of the PP matrix by means of Fourier transform infrared and melt flow rate testing, respectively. Then, the potential of using multimonomer‐grafted PP, which was designated PP‐g‐(St‐co‐MMA), as the compatibilizer in PP/poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) blends was also examined. In comparison with PP/PVC blends, the average size of the dispersed phase was greatly reduced in grafted polypropylene (gPP)/PVC blends because of the addition of the PP‐g‐(St‐co‐MMA) graft copolymer. The tensile strength of the gPP/PVC blends increased significantly, and the impact strength was unchanged from that of the pure PP/PVC blends. The results of differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy suggested that the compatibility of the PP/PVC blends was improved. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Effect of the molecular weight on the plasticization properties of poly(hexane succinate) in poly(vinyl chloride) blends

Blends of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly(hexane succinate) (PHS) with various molecular weights were analyzed with respect to their mechanical properties, durability, and thermal stability. We found that the molecular weight of PHS played an important role in the plasticizing process, and the single glass-transition temperature (T _g) of the PVC blends measured by dynamic mechanical analysis supported the complete miscibility between PHS and PVC. The plasticizing efficiency of PHS increased as the molecular weight increased; this reflected the gradually increasing elongation at break and the decreased T _g of the PVC blend. Meanwhile, the higher molecular weight of PHS also improved the resistance of migration and thermal stability but decreased the biodegradability of the PVC blends; this was due to the strong intermolecular interactions between PHS and PVC. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47081.     

High PVC film‐forming composite latex particles via miniemulsification,part 1: Preparation

Miniemulsification technology was used to encapsulate TiO₂ particles inside a styrene/n‐butyl acrylate copolymer with high loading levels (11 to 70% PVC (pigment volume concentration)). In this approach, a St/BA copolymer dissolved in toluene in the presence of a costabilizer (hexadecane) was mixed with a dispersion of TiO₂ particles in toluene and sonified, and then emulsified in an aqueous surfactant solution by sonification. The effect of sonification time on both the dispersibility of the TiO₂ particles in the presence of the copolymer and hexadecane and on the encapsulated particle size was investigated. Particle size analysis by dynamic light scattering showed that these composite latexes are quite stable. It was also found that as the TiO₂ loading increased from 11 to 43% PVC, the particle size of the TiO₂ dispersion decreased while the polymer‐encapsulated TiO₂ particle size increased. The effect of surfactant concentration (sodium lauryl sulfate, SLS) on the encapsulated particle size was investigated using four different SLS concentrations in the 11% PVC system. The results showed that as the SLS concentration increased the particle size decreased, as expected. Also it was found that the minimum surfactant concentration that gives stable encapsulated TiO₂ particles is above 10 mM SLS. The role of HD in the recipe was studied for an artificial latex containing no TiO₂ and one prepared at 11% PVC, in terms of particle size before and after solvent stripping, and its effect on the T_g. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 4504–4516, 2006     

Modeling domain mixing in semi-interpenetrating polymer networks composed of poly(vinyl chloride) and 5% to 15% of crosslinked thermosets

The nature of phase mixing in semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (SIPNs) of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/thermoset blends was studied by using both the glass transition temperature third power composition equation and DMTA modeling. From 5% to 15% by weight of an oligomeric MDI isocyanate or a low viscosity epoxy were blended separately with PVC to make two series of SIPNs. The DMTA-derived T_g data were modeled by the T_g third power composition equation to characterize “energy interaction” features of PVC/thermoset phase mixing. Fitting experimental T_g values gave estimations of the characteristic parameters, K₁ and K₂ of the T_g power equation. K₁ and K₂ were each positive for the PVC/epoxy (K₁ = 1.1, K₂ = 7.2) and the PVC/isocyanate (K₁ = 29.9, K₂ = 38) blends, showing that binary hetero-interactions (enthalpic effects) and conformational redistributions (entropic effects) during the binary hetero-interactions both contributed favorably to phase mixing. Negative K₁ - K₂ values for both groups of blends indicate entropic contributions predominate. The thermoset dilution produced a lightly crosslinked thermoset network, which was locked into the amorphous PVC, forming a mixed thermoset/PVC SIPN domain. Conformational redistributions of PVC and thermoset segments continue to occur within the developing SIPN domain before phase separation can occur. The combined series-parallel Takayanagi coupling model, which assumed that a PVC phase and a mixed PVC/thermoset SIPN phase coexisted, was employed to describe the viscoelastic behavior of PVC/thermoset blends. Reasonable fits between the experimental DMTA plots and modeling predictions were found. The predictions were not sensitive to the degree of series-parallel coupling. The modeled DMTA plots, like the experimental results, exhibited only a single E″ peak in the glass transition temperature range for both the PVC/PAPI and PVC/epoxy systems. Thus, very small PVC/thermoset SIPN domains (< 20 nm diameter) that are dispersed in separate domains of a PVC-rich phase (despersive phase mixing characteristics) provide a reasonable explanation of the blends' phase structures.     

Ultrafine full-vulcanized powdered rubbers/PVC compounds with higher toughness and higher heat resistance

A new type of rigid PVC compound with higher toughness and higher heat resistance was prepared by using a new type of PVC modifier, ultrafine full-vulcanized powdered rubber (UFPR). The UFPRs used in this paper were butadiene nitrile UFPR-1 (NBR-UFPR-1) with particle size of about 150 nm and butadiene nitrile UFPR-2 (NBR-UFPR-2) with particle size of about 90 nm. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) showed that glass transition temperature (T_g) of PVC in compounds increased from 77.52 °C of neat PVC to 82.37 and 85.67 °C, while the notched impact strengths increased from 3.1 kJ/m² of neat PVC to 5.2, 5.5 kJ/m², respectively. It can be found that both T_g and toughness of PVC have been improved simultaneously, and the smaller the particle size of NBR-UFPRs, the higher the T_g and the impact strength. The property could be attributed to larger interface and more interfacial interaction between NBR-UFPRs and PVC matrix. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that NBR-UFPRs could be well dispersed in PVC matrix.     

Thermal and dynamic mechanical behavior of poly(vinyl chloride)/wood flour composites

Thermal and dynamic mechanical behaviors of wood plastic composites made of poly vinyl chloride (PVC) and surface treated, untreated wood flour were characterized by using differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis. Glass transition temperature (T_g) of PVC was slightly increased by the addition of wood flour and by wood flour surface treatments. Heat capacity differences (ΔC_p) of composites before and after glass transition were markedly reduced. PVC/wood composites exhibited smaller tan δ peaks than PVC alone, suggesting that less energy was dissipated for coordinated movements and disentanglements of PVC polymer chains in the composites. The rubbery plateaus of storage modulus (E′) curves almost disappeared for PVC/wood composites in contrast to a well defined plateau range for pure PVC. It is proposed that wood flour particles act as “physical crosslinking points” or “pinning centers” inside the PVC matrix, resulting in the absence of the rubbery plateau and high E′ above T_g. The mobility of PVC chain segments were further retarded by the presence of surface modified wood flour. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

In‐line measurements of the morphological parameters of PP/PA6 blends during extrusion in the transient mode

The real‐time measurement of the morphology of immiscible polymer blends based on polypropylene (PP) and polyamide 6 (PA6) was performed during melt blending in a twin‐screw extruder. The disperse phase particle size and concentration were obtained in‐line with an optical device placed at the die exit. To validate the response of the optical device, its detector was calibrated in advance in a bench using ceramic particles of well‐controlled size dispersed in water. The optical device was able to measure the changes in particle size and concentration and the data enabled the calculation of the particle extinction cross section. Melt blending experiments in the extruder were performed in a transient mode, where a small amount of the material was added as a pulse to the main melt flow. The pulses containing pellets of the PA6 and polypropylene grafted with acrylic acid (PP‐g‐AA) were added to the PP flow stream in different amounts. The detector's response increased with increasing concentrations in the PA6 and PP‐g‐AA. The disperse phase particle size decreased concomitantly because of the compatibilizing effect of the PP‐g‐AA on the PP/PA6 immiscible blend. That observation confirmed that the detector's response was directly related to the disperse phase particle size. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Dynamic rheological and morphological study of the compatibility of thermoplastic polyurethane/ethylene–octene copolymer blends

Two grafted ethylene–octene copolymers [POEs; i.e., POE‐g‐maleic anhydried (MAH) and aminated POE (denoted by POE‐g‐NH₂) were used as compatibilizers in immiscible blends of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and POE. The effects of the compatibilizers on the dynamic rheological properties and morphologies of the TPU/POE blends were investigated. The characteristic rheological behaviors of the blends indicated that the strong interactions between the two phases were due to the compatibilization. Microstructural observation confirmed that the compatibilizers were located at the interface in the blends and formed a stable interfacial layer and smaller dispersed phase particle size. Compared with POE‐g‐MAH, POE‐g‐NH₂ exhibited a better compatibilization effect in the TPU/POE blends. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation and properties of compatibilized PVC/SMA‐g‐PA6 blends

The morphology and mechanical properties of PVC/SMA‐g‐PA6 blends were investigated in this paper. Graft to polymer SMA‐g‐PA6 was prepared via a solution graft reaction between SMA and PA6. FTIR test evidences the occurrence of the graft reaction between SMA and PA6. DSC analysis shows that SMA‐g‐PA6 has a lower melting point of 187°C, which may result in a decrease in crystallinity of PA6 and thus enable efficient blending of SMA‐g‐PA6 and PVC. Compatibilization was evidenced by the dramatic increase in mechanical properties, the smaller particle size and finer dispersion of PA6 in PVC matrix, and, further, a cocontinuous morphology at 16 wt % SMA‐g‐PA6 content. SMA‐g‐PA6 from the solution graft reaction can toughen and reinforce PVC material. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 432–439, 2004     

Development and characterization of reactively extruded PVC/polystyrene blends

PVC/PS blends are obtained through a reactive extrusion–polymerization method by the absorption of a solution of styrene monomer, initiator, and a crosslinking agent in commercial suspension‐type porous polyvinyl chloride (PVC) particles, forming a dry‐blend with a relatively high monomer content. These PVC/styrene dry‐blends are reactively polymerized in a twin‐screw extruder in the melt state. They do not contain monomer residues as detected by GC. The transparency, fracture surface morphology, thermal stability, rheology and static and dynamic mechanical properties of these blends are compared to physical PVC/PS blends at similar compositions. Owing to the high polymerization temperature (180°C), short PS chains are formed in the reactive extrusion process. These short chains are dispersed both as a separate phase of ～2 μm particles (recognized by SEM) and also as molecularly dispersed chains enhancing plasticization and compatibilization. The molecularly dispersed short PS chains tend to plasticize the PVC phase, reducing its melt viscosity and glass transition temperature. The content of the short PS chains forming the dispersed separate PS particles is too low for DMTA to detect a separate T_g. Thus, reactively extruded PVC/PS blends exhibit single T_g transitions at lower temperatures compared with the neat PVC. Migration of the PVC's low‐molecular‐weight additives (lubricants and thermal stabilizer) to the PS phase is observed in the physical PVC/PS blends, causing antiplasticization of the PS phase. This results in both reduction of the T_g and an increase in the thermal stability of the PS phase in the physical PVC/PS blends. Comparing TGA thermograms of reactively extruded and physical PVC/PS indicates that the PS formed in the extruder is different from the commercial PS. This can stem from various chemical reactions that can take place in the studied reactive polymerization process. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:1473–1483, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Performance relationships in PVC–plasticizer dry blending

The phenomenon of plasticizer acceptance by poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in hotprocess dry blending is examined via scanning electron microscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and torque rheometer measurements. The effects of granule porosity, resin molecular weight, and synthesis recipe in PVC manufacture by the suspension process are related to the rate of plasticizer acceptance. For a PVC resin to dry blend, i.e., to become a free-flowing powder when mixed with plasticizer under hot-processing conditions, the resin granules must be porous. Porosity arises from interstices between primary PVC particles. At a given granule porosity, an increase in primary particle agglomeration adversely affects dry blend performance. At constant molecular weight and for resins manufactured by a given recipe, dry-blend performance is quantitatively described by granule porosity. With an increase in resin molecular weight, a greater granule porosity is required to maintain an equivalent dry-blend time (DBT). Accordingly, for most suspending agent recipes, DBT is dependent directly upon granule porosity and inversely upon molecular weight. However, if the suspending agent used in resin manufacture is an excessively rapid film former, dry-blend performance with molecular weight variation is dependent upon the suspending agent's concentration, not upon granule porosity, which must be adequate, nor upon the resin's molecular weight. An interfacial film-forming suspending agent enhances fusion of primary PVC particles at the suspension granule—water interface, increasing the granule's “pericellular membrane” thickness. This membrane, a PVC skin, does not significantly influence dry-blend performance with low- or intermediate-viscosity plasticizers. The particle skin does impede dry-blend rates with high-viscosity, poorly solvating plasticizers, but this effect can be negated in part by increasing the diameter of pore openings in the topographical skin. Dry blending occurs below the glass transition temperature (T_g) of PVC with low-viscosity plasticizers and above the T_g with high-viscosity, poorly solvating modifiers. The influence of resin and plasticizer variables indicates the dry-blend phenomenon to be a diffusion-controlled process. The rate of dry blending is dependent upon two mechanisms: (1) the rate of pore penetration—which exposes the plasticizer to a much greater surface area than if it remained exterior, encapsulating the granule—and (2) the rate of plasticizer diffusion into the PVC matrix.