Compatibilisers, analysis

It is concluded that IR spectroscopy provides information on qualitative as well quantitative analyses of rubbery materials, apart from their microstructures (that is, whether cis or trans, syndiotactic, atactic or isotactic). Different types of rubber blends (compatibilised or self-crosslinked) can be identified by the infrared spectroscopy. Synthesis, and degradation of polymers can also be followed by IR spectra. Mechanism of interaction between rubbers and fillers, can also be studied by IR-spectra. Different types of chemical reactions like the milling behaviour of rubbers, mechanism of adhesion and degradation can also be studied with the help of IR spectroscopy. The technique plays a great role in the product analysis under reverse engineering. 

Blends of polyethylene terephthalate and linear low-density polyethylene were compatibilised using diethylmaleate grafted polyethylene, and characterised using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Interactions between the components in the blends were observed, which affected the glycol sequences of the polyester and also improved the thermal oxidative stability of the blends. The introduction of the compatibiliser resulted in a particle size reduction of the dispersed phase and better adhesion between the phase and the matrix. 15 refs. 

PMMA migrate to the interfaces (i.e. act as a surfactant) and effectively compatibilise the polymer blend [234], TEM analysis of nanostructured cured elastomeric sealant compositions prepared by sonicating a mixture of silylated apophyUite filler in PDMS showed unambiguously that silicate layers are exfoliated [235]. Watkins et al. [174] have studied platinum/poly(4-methyl-l-pentene) (PMP) nanocomposites by means of TEM. For nanocomposite science and technology, cfr. also ref. [236]. 

PA-6 polymer blend. Basically, both the tensile strength and impact strength of the composites were better in the presence of PP-g-MA, which had a high acid number, than in samples without the addition of the compatibiliser. Based on the surface analysis, better adhesion was also demonstrated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs [70]. 

---