Polymer blending ratio

Fig. 6.2 This sequence of images highlights the impact of the underlying substrate on an overlaying polymer film. The films were made from a polymer blend solution where the polymer blend ratio and the processing conditions were kept constant. The images are atomic force microscopy height images and show where the polymers have segregated. In each sample the substrate surface chemistry, originally gold, was coated with a different self-assembled molecule layer to form various surface chemistries. Reprinted with permission [6]...

The adjoining Fig. 6.11b plots the probability of successful nucleation as a ftmetion of template feature size as compiled from Fig. 6.11a and similar data sets. Several observations can be made from this array of data. First, a minimum template feature size of 50-200 nm is necessary to have a chance of nucleating phase separation, and the probability of successful nucleation is statistical in nature. Second, the probability of successful nucleation and the size of the induced features depend on the polymer blend ratio. While this data set was only acquired for one type of polymer blend film that follows a nucleated phase separation schemed in Fig. 6.6a-e, the size effects and the statistical nature... 

Low-Tg polymer/high-Tg polymer Blend ratio tan 6 lYO (i-WET IPST Abrasion resist. index... 

Synthetic polymers have become extremely important as materials over the past 50 years and have replaced other materials because they possess high strength-to-weight ratios, easy processabiUty, and other desirable features. Used in appHcations previously dominated by metals, ceramics, and natural fibers, polymers make up much of the sales in the automotive, durables, and clothing markets. In these appHcations, polymers possess desired attributes, often at a much lower cost than the materials they replace. The emphasis in research has shifted from developing new synthetic macromolecules toward preparation of cost-effective multicomponent systems (ie, copolymers, polymer blends, and composites) rather than preparation of new and frequendy more expensive homopolymers. These multicomponent systems can be "tuned" to achieve the desired properties (within limits, of course) much easier than through the total synthesis of new macromolecules. 

Variation of apparent viscosity with the blend ratio for both preblends and preheated blends is shown in Fig. 1. Comparing preblends and preheated, the viscosity of preheated 50 50(NBR-Hypalon) blends becomes maximum, whereas the prebends show a continuous decrease in viscosity from 100% Hypalon to 100% NBR in all shear rates studied. This decrease is explained by the difference in viscosity between two virgin polymers. Preheating of the blends may result in interchain cross-linking and it seems to be maximum at a 50 50 ratio. 

Earlier studies [14,15] clearly reveal that there is a reaction between two polymers and that the extent of reaction depends on the blend ratio. As 50 50 ratio has been found to the optimum (from rheological and infrared studies) ratio for interchain crosslinking, the higher heat of reaction for the NBR-rich blend may be attributed to the cyclization of NBR at higher temperatures. There is an inflection point at 50 50 ratio where maximum interchain crosslinking is expected. Higher viscosity, relaxation time, and stored elastic energy are observed in the preheated blends. A maximum 50-60% of Hypalon in NBR is supposed to be an optimum ratio so far as processibility is concerned. 

The effect of viscosity ratio on the morphology of immiscible polymer blends has been studied by several researchers. Studies with blends of LCPs and thermoplastics have shown indications that for good fibrillation to be achieved the viscosity of the dispersed LCP phase should be lower than that of the matrix [22,38-44]. 

In manufacturing and processing polymer blends, it is thus important that the viscosity ratio be within the optimal range in the actual processing conditions. Not only the polymers to be blended but also the temperature and processing conditions (shear, elongation) should be carefully selected. Other factors, such as interfacial tension [46,47] and elasticity of the blended polymers, may also influence the blend morphology. 

There are a number of major, international manufacturers of coagulant and flocculant polymers whose primary markets are high-volume users (i.e., cities, states, and national governments). There are also many smaller regional manufacturers who tend to specialize in niche markets and produce various polymer blends (organic polymers blended with various ratios of inorganic coagulants such as ACH, PAC, and alum). These polymer blends are particularly useful in industrial facilities where process contamination and difficult clarification problems may exist. 

Sjoerdsma S.D., Bleijenberg A.C.A.M., and Heikens D., The Poisson ratio of polymer blend, effects of adhesion and correlation with the Kemer packed grain model. Polymer, 22, 619, 1981. 

When two polymers interact or react with each other, they are likely to provide a compatible, even a miscible, blend. Epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) interacts with chloro-sulfonated polyethylene (Hypalon) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) forming partially miscible and miscible blends, respectively, due to the reaction between chlorosulfonic acid group and chlorine with epoxy group of ENR. Chiu et al. have studied the blends of chlorinated polyethylene (CR) with ENR at blend ratios of 75 25, 50 50, and 25 75, as well as pure rubbers using sulfur (Sg), 2-mercapto-benzothiazole, and 2-benzothiazole disulfide as vulcanizing agents [32]. They have studied Mooney viscosity, scorch... 

Thermoplastic elastomeric compositions from reclaimed NR and scrap LDPE with 50 50 mbber/plastic ratio shows good processability, ultimate elongation, and set properties. Polymer blends of reclaimed mbber and LDPE exhibit higher viscosity over the range of shear rate at various temperatures compared to virgin NR-LDPE blends due to the influence of filler present in the reclaimed mbber (Eigure 38.7) [109]. 

Polymer blends have been categorized as (1) compatible, exhibiting only a single Tg, (2) mechanically compatible, exhibiting the Tg values of each component but with superior mechanical properties, and (3) incompatible, exhibiting the unenhanced properties of phase-separated materials (8). Based on the mechanical properties, it has been suggested that PCL-cellulose acetate butyrate blends are compatible (8). Dynamic mechanical measurements of the Tg of PCL-polylactic acid blends indicate that the compatability may depend on the ratios employed (65). Both of these blends have been used to control the permeability of delivery systems (vide infra). 

Copolymers (graft or block) made of immiscible sequences give rise to biphasic morphologies depending on the ratio of immiscible sequences (or of their lengths). Such possible microstructures are reported in Figure 33. A minor phase can be dispersed as nodules (spheres) or filaments (cylinders) while, when concentrations of both phases get similar, lamellar (interpenetrated) structures can appear. It should be noted that rather similar morphologies could also be found in (compatibilised) polymer blends. 

Blending with dialkoxy-PPV 14 in a device (ITO/PEDOT/polymer blend layer/LiF/Ca) substantially improved the EL efficiency (by about two orders of magnitude). A moderately efficient energy transfer from the higher band-gap PPV (AEL = 650 nm) to PT 468 (AEL = 830 nm) allowed fine-tuning of the emission color by changing the component ratio (Figure 2.32) [569],... 

Figures 20.13 and 20.14 describe the effect of dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) on the tensile strength and tensile modulus for the 25/75 LCP/PEN blend fibers at draw ratios of 10 and 20 [13]. As expected, the addition of DBTDL slightly enhances the mechanical properties of the blends up to ca. 500 ppm of DBTDL. The optimum quantity of DBTDL seems to be about 500 ppm at a draw ratio of 20. However, the mechanical properties deteriorate when the concentration of catalyst exceeds this optimum level. From the previous relationships between the rheological properties and the mechanical properties, it can be discerned that the interfacial adhesion and the compatibility between the two phases, PEN and LCP, were enhanced. Hence, DBTDL can be used as a catalyst to achieve reactive compatibility in this blend system. This suggests the possibility of improving the interfacial adhesion between the immiscible polymer blends containing the LCP by reactive extrusion processing with a very short residence time.

In view of the utility of the aromatic polyesters and the demonstrated effectiveness of the aromatic polyphosphonates as flame retardants, the combination of these two polymers was chosen for this study. In addition, this system provided a composition in which both copolymers and polymer blends could be prepared with identical chemical compositions. The polyesters were prepared from resorcinol with an 80/20 m/m ratio of iso-phthaloyl and terephaloyl chlorides while the polyphosphonates were resorcinol phenylphosphonate polymers. Copolymerized phosphorus was incorporated by replacement of a portion of the acid chloride mixture with phenylphosphonic dichloride. 

In order to illustrate the utility of model parameter interpretation, a data set containing NIR transmission spectra of a series of polymer films will be used [85]. In this example, films were extruded from seven different polymer blends, each of which was formulated using a different ratio of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) where the blend compositions were 0, 2.5, 5,10, 25, 50 and 100% HDPE. NIR spectra were then obtained for four or five replicate film samples at each blend composition. Figure 12.18 shows the NIR spectra that were obtained. 

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