Annealing constant theory

To examine the effect of phase separation on the loss modulus, a sample of a 50/50 chemical blend was phase separated by annealing at 130 C and then evaluated by DMS, Figure 8. Note that the unannealed 50/50 blend shows a broad transition similar to that obtained by DSC and by Hourston and Hughes (24). As compared to the unannealed blend, the annealed PVME/PS blend shows a broader transition. Similarly, the IPN has a still broader transition than the blend. However, the LA s for the three samples are relatively constant, 5%, agreeing also with theory. Table II. Note that overall experimental error is 10%. Also, it was observed that the phase separated blend has a milky white appearance whereas the IPN is slightly hazy. This indicates that the size of the phase separated domains in the IPN are smaller. 

The theory described in section nanophase separation and dynamical scaling — referring to classical phase separation processes—was applied to an in situ experimental SAXS study of the time evolution of nanoporous Sn02 xerogels held at constant temperature. This nanoporous material, after a short transient period, preserves its apparent density, thus suggesting that the total fraction of porous volume remains constant during the isothermal annealing. 

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