Toughened blends of poly(butylene terephthalate) and BPA polycarbonate

The morphologies of melt blends of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC) toughened with a core/shell impact modifier have been characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Selective staining with ruthenium and osmium tetroxide and etching with diethylene triamine have been used to assess the distribution of the various blend components and investigate the effects of thermal history on morphology. Strong evidence for partial melt miscibility of PC and PBT and rate-dependent segregation during cooling is presented.