Melt rheology of polymer blends the morphology feedback

Particular rheology compositions (PRC) so far observed for blends of polyolefins are confirmed with composition dependence of melt elasticity and viscosity functions for polypropylene/rubbers and blends of other commercial polymers. Particular morphology at PRC was indirectly ascertained from the composition dependence of specific volume, v_T–compositions for which the maximum v_T observed are those of minimum viscoelasticity. Direct evidence from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicates that the disperse morphology undergoes distinct change at PRC: from uniform into bimodal, with coarser core. Rubber rich mixtures display stratified texture confirming that the melt elasticity ratio (Van Oene's) criterion for disperse/stratified morphology transition is valid in case of polypropylene/rubber blends. For a set of polymers of given melt elasticity ratios and at a composition ratio, static and rotational distributive mixers generate polyblends differing significantly in the melt rheology—morphology interaction.