Block copolymers adhesion between elastomers

Nature of the Interface. The most important aspect is the nature of the matrix-dispersed phase interface which determines the adhesion between these two phases. The anchoring effect between two phases with a block copolymer located at the interface depends essentially on the amount of Cop in the blend, the amount of elastomer, and the particle size of the dispersed phase. Particle size, in turn, depends on the molecular characteristics of homopolymer and Cop, as well as on the composition of the blend. In order to take into account these... 

Block copol3nners form a new class of molecular composite materials by the phase separation of incompatible hard and soft segments which form their macro-molecular structure. Thermoplastic elastomers where the soft segments form the continuous phase have been extensively investigated by means of an adsorption-interdiffusion (A-I) model for the interfacial phase which bonds the hard and soft phases. The molecular structure and rheological activity of the interfacial phase in thermoplastic elastomer block copolymers is shown to play a dominant role in nonlinear viscoelastic response, mechanical hysteresis and energy absorption. Creation of elastomeric microphases in epoxy structural adhesives has been recently identified with in situ block copol3nnerization between carboxy terminated nitrile (CTBN) rubber and the diepoxide. 

Di-block (A-B) and tri-block (A-B-A) copolymers are made by so-called living polymerization (section 1.7). These polymers have found applications as thermoplastic elastomers and as compatibilizers to increase the adhesion between the phases in polymer blends. 

---