DSC and DMTA characterization of ternary blends

The phase behavior of ternary blends made of poly(epichlorohydrin) (PECH), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). DMTA measurements have been shown to be more sensitive than DSC for the detection of a second phase, for the determination of the composition of each phase, and the distribution of PECH in each of them. About 70% PECH was required to obtain a single narrow T_g in the ternary system, which suggests a single homogeneous phase in the limit of sensitivity of DMTA. This study also emphasizes the importance of the composition of the immiscible polymer pair (i.e. the PVAc/PMMA pair in the PECH/PVAc/PMMA system), in addition to the thermodynamic interaction parameters, for controling the phase behavior of ternary systems.     

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     

Study on pH‐sensitive and thermosensitive polymer networks containing polyacetal segments

A series of pH‐sensitive and thermosensitive polymer networks were first obtained by copolymerization of telechelic poly(1,3‐dioxolane) (PDXL) with acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AM), and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), respectively. The copolymerization of PDXL diacrylate (PDXLDA) with AA, AM, or NIPAM is expected to lead to polymer networks in which homopolymeric segments of the monomer are connected by polyacetal segments. As a combination of these two parts, these polymer networks can have some interesting physical properties. For example, the copolymer networks of poly(AA‐b‐DXL) showed pH sensitivity, and both the copolymer networks of poly(AM‐b‐DXL) and poly(NIPAM‐b‐DXL) showed temperature sensitivity. Moreover, because of the low ceiling temperature of polyDXL, the networks containing polyacetal segments (PDXL) can degrade by treatment with a trace of appropriate cationic initiator. The polymer networks prepared were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, and swelling data. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 3002–3006, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.2329     

Effects of a Nd—Fe—B magnetic filler on the crystallization of poly(phenylene sulfide)

The crystallization of poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) in a polymer–magnetic Nd—Fe—B powder suspension was studied. Isothermal crystallization behavior was analyzed by way of differential scanning calorimetry, and the kinetics were described via the Avrami equation. The Avrami parameters and the crystallization times were strongly affected by both the particle size and the presence of a coupling agent coated on the filler particles. The small Nd—Fe—B particles exhibited long induction and half‐times, whereas the large particles tended to have short crystallization times. Particles ranging from 38 to 150 μ appeared to have similar crystallization times and to have no significant change in the value of Avrami index with melt crystallization temperature. As a result of these analyses, the dynamic mechanical properties were determined to correlate the fundamental polymer crystallization characteristics and the physical properties of the PPS binder. The enhancement of the wetting of the filler to the binder was promoted through the coupling agent, as confirmed by dynamic mechanical testing performed on the samples. The storage modulus typically decreased because of the presence of the uncoated small particles. Conversely, the loss modulus was enhanced because of the presence of the coated small particles in the PPS binder. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1091–1102, 2002     

Experimental research on drag reduction by polymer additives in a turbulent pipe flow

In order to investigate the effects of injection position on drag reduction as well as further the effects of polymer additives on turbulent structures, LDA measurements of turbulent pipe flows were conducted. The results show that the amount of drag reduction grows with the increase of the Reynolds number, and injecting the polymer at the centre of pipe is more effective than at the wall. Due to the addition of polymer solution, the axial, radial r.m.s. velocity fluctuations and Reynolds stress decrease over the entire pipe cross‐section, the time auto‐correlation coefficients of axial and radial velocity fluctuation at the centre of pipe decay more slowly, the number of spectrum peaks is decreased, and the peak shifts towards lower wave numbers. The results also reveal that, due to the addition of polymer solution, the large‐scale vortices are enhanced and small‐scale vortices are suppressed.     

Effect of compatibility of cellulose acetate/poly(vinyl butyral) blends on pervaporation behavior of their membranes for methanol/methyl tert‐butyl ether mixture

Binary blends and their blend membranes of cellulose acetate (CA) and poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) are prepared by solution blending. The compatibility of the blends is studied by viscometry and Fourier transform IR. It is found that the incompatibility of the blends is markedly manifested when the weight fraction of PVB in the CA/PVB blends (W_PVB) is located at higher regions. On the other hand, compatibility is obtained for the CA/PVB blends with lower W_PVB values, especially at about 0.2. This compatibility is believed to play a key role in the good pervaporation behavior of CA/PVB blend membranes. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2434–2439, 2002     

Effect of compatibilization in injection‐molded polycarbonate and liquid crystalline polymer blend

The effect of compatibilizing polycarbonate (PC) and LC5000, a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer consisting of 80/20% of hydroxybenzoic acid and poly(terephthalate) with a laboratory synthesized compatibilizer was studied. The compatibilizer was synthesized by transesterification of PC and LC5000 with the aid of a catalyst. The effect of compatibilization was investigated by studying the mechanical and morphological properties of injection‐molded plaques with different thicknesses. Substantial improvement was observed in the mechanical properties after compatibilization. Significant enhancement in the fibrillation was also observed in the samples after addition of compatibilizer. The surface finish of the compatibilized samples was smooth and homogenous as compared to the uncompatibilized samples. The skin‐core phenomenon in the tensile fractured surfaces was less obvious in the former samples, indicating better adhesion and homogeneity. These morphological studies showed that the mechanical properties enhancement lay in improved fibrillation and interfacial adhesion between the dispersed and major phases. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 568–575, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10308     

Blends containing amphiphilic polymers IV. Poly(N‐1‐alkyl itaconamic acids) with poly(2‐vinylpyridine) and poly(4‐vinylphenol)

The phase behavior of blends containing Poly(N‐1‐alkyl itaconamic acids) (PNAIA) with Poly(2‐vinylpyrindine) (P2VPy) and Poly(4‐vinylphenol) (P4VPh) were analyzed by Diferential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Miscibility over the whole range of compositions is observed in both systems. All the blends show thermograms exhibiting distinct single glass transition temperatures (T_g), which are intermediate to those of the pure components. The Calorimetric Analysis using Gordon Taylor, Couchman, and Kwei treatments allows conclusion that interactions between the components is favorable to the miscibility. FTIR analysis of the blends suggests that the driving force for miscibility is hydrogen bonding formation. The variation of the absorptions of the carbonyl groups of PNAIA and the hydroxyl groups of P4VPh allows one to attribute the miscibility to weak acid base like interactions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1245–1250, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10453     

Synthesis and characterization of CdS nanocrystals embedded on solid electrolyte films

In this article nano‐sized CdS crystal embedded in a PEO matrix was successfully prepared by a complex transformation method that is universal for preparing nanosized compounds containing transition metals. The size of embedded CdS particles was in the nanoscale from 2 to 10 nm determined by X‐ray diffusion. The nanosized CdS displayed the expected blue shift of the onset absorbance in the UV spectrum. The amount of blue shift depends upon the dipping time of the PEO–cadmium complex film in a sodium sulfide solution as well as its concentration. The most effective means for adjusting the size of CdS nanocrystals is to change the ratio of the oxygen along with the PEO chain to the cadmium ion in the complex film. The alkali salt in the film would contribute to the conductivity of the composite film. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1263–1268, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10459     

Modelling of the Nonlinear Behavior of Compatibilized Polyethylene/Polyamide Blends in Shear and Extensional Flows

We have studied the effect of the amount Φ_c of a reactive compatibilizer on the rheological properties of a polyethylene/polyamide blend, under steady shear and transient extensional flows. Here, we propose to describe the viscosity η(γ) and the first normal stress coefficient γ₁(γ) using a Carreau‐type power‐law model, which is a three‐parameter model. A single model is sufficient to express the behavior of γ₁(γ) On the other hand, the complete η(γ) curve is described by the superposition of two Carreau models, in relation to the presence of two relaxation mechanisms. Moreover, the extentional viscosity η_E(?), estimated using the end pressure drop observed in capillary flow experiments, is expressed by a two‐parameter power‐law model.