Styrene matrix, block copolymers

Short fiber reinforcement of TPEs has recently opened up a new era in the field of polymer technology. Vajrasthira et al. [22] studied the fiber-matrix interactions in short aramid fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites. Campbell and Goettler [23] reported the reinforcement of TPE matrix by Santoweb fibers, whereas Akhtar et al. [24] reported the reinforcement of a TPE matrix by short silk fiber. The reinforcement of thermoplastic co-polyester and TPU by short aramid fiber was reported by Watson and Prances [25]. Roy and coworkers [26-28] studied the rheological, hysteresis, mechanical, and dynamic mechanical behavior of short carbon fiber-filled styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) block copolymers and TPEs derived from NR and high-density polyethylene (HOPE) blends. 

The effect of blending LDPE with EVA or a styrene-isoprene block copolymer was investigated (178). The properties (thermal expansion coefficient. Young s modulus, thermal conductivity) of the foamed blends usually lie between the limits of the foamed constituents, although the relationship between property and blend content is not always linear. The reasons must he in the microstructure most polymer pairs are immiscible, but some such as PS/polyphenylene oxide (PPO) are miscible. Eor the immiscible blends, the majority phase tends to be continuous, but the form of the minor phase can vary. Blends of EVA and metallocene catalysed ethylene-octene copolymer have different morphologies depending on the EVA content (5). With 25% EVA, the EVA phase appears as fine spherical inclusions in the LDPE matrix. The results of these experiments on polymer films will apply to foams made from the same polymers. 

Richards and Thomason observed several peaks in the scattering curves from styrene-isoprene block copolymers, which indicate that the copolymer separates into two domains. By comparing the observed scattering curves with model calculations, the domains were characterized as a face-centred cubic array of polystyrene spheres in a polyisoprene matrix. The spheres had a radius of 130 A, were 383 A apart and there was a 29 A thick interfacial layer around them. 

Fig. 3.11. Illustration of phase structure of a thermoplastic rubber composed of styrene-butadiene block copolymers. The polystyrene molecules aggregate in glassy styrene domains which are linked together by the rubbery matrix in which the polybutadiene blocks have congregated (after Bull).

Finally, block copolymers have been made in a two-step process. First a mixture of chloroprene and -xylenebis-Ai,Ar-diethyldithiocarbamate is photopolymerized to form a dithiocarbamate terminated polymer which is then photopolymerized with styrene to give the block copolymer. The block copolymer has the expected morphology, spheres of polystyrene domains in a polychloroprene matrix (46). 

The term star-block copolymer is used for a star architecture in which each arm is a diblock. The influence of chain topology on mechanical and morphological properties was investigated for copolymers composed of PS and PB with a constant styrene content of = 0.74 by Michler s group (Fig. 32) [101,102], While hexagonally packed cylinders of PB in a PS matrix were observed in a symmetric PS-fo-PB-fr-PS triblock copolymer, an L phase... 

ABS Three-component copolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene, alloy Rubber-toughened materials in which the matrix can be a mixture of polymer tyrpes. alternation copolymer Ordered copolymer in which every other building is a different mer. azeotropic copolymer Copolymer in which the feet and composition of the copolymer are the same, blends Mixtures of different polymers on a molecular level may exist in one or two phases, block copolymer Copolymer that contains long sequences or runs of one mer or both mers. 

Such materials essentially contain PS as the matrix polymer and uniformly dispersed in this matrix are elastomeric types of particles, which form the soft phase (3). The soft phase is essentially composed of poly(butadiene) or of block copolymers of butadiene and styrene. This soft phase can be also addressed as the impact modifier for PS. 

Styrene-1,3-butadiene-styrene (SBS) or styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) triblock copolymers are manufactured by a three-stage sequential polymerization. One possible way of the synthesis is to start with the polymerization of styrene. Since all polystyrene chains have an active anionic chain end, adding butadiene to this reaction mixture resumes polymerization, leading to the formation of a polybutadiene block. The third block is formed after the addition of styrene again. The polymer thus produced contains glassy (or crystalline) polystyrene domains dispersed in a matrix of rubbery polybutadiene.120,481,486... 

A system with clearly defined disperse (A) and continuous (B) component phases is afforded by copolymers of styrene (A) grafted onto a polydimethyl siloxane matrix (B)101 Lack of appreciable interaction between the components was indicated by gas solubility and Tg measurements. The permeability coefficient of propane and other paraffins over a composition range vA = 0 — 0.55 followed the trend described by Eqs. (30)—(33) (with PA = 0, in view of the fact that the polystyrene phase is practically impermeable). Of particular relevance to the present discussion is the close agreement with the Bruggeman, and definite deviation from the Bottcher, equations at higher vA (cf. Fig. 11). Corresponding block copolymer membranes with vA = 0.34 also fitted into this pattern, except in one case where the structure was found to be lamellar and P was considerably lower. 

Biostable polymers have been chosen for use in the majority of DES that are marketed or in clinical development. The main attractiveness of biostable polymers is their physical stability, inertness toward the drug, and predictable drug kinetics. In Cypher, a blend of poly(ethylene-co-butyl methacrylate) (PEVAc/PBMA) is used as the drug carrier. This hydrophobic polymer, along with additional polymer process steps, effectively controls the release of sirolimus, eluting 80% of the drug over 30 days after implantation. In the case of Taxus, atri-block copolymer of styrene-isobutylene-styrene (SIBS) is used as the hydrophobic polymer matrix that releases 10% of incorporated paclitaxel in the first 30 days (20). 

The Taxus stent by Boston Scientific uses a tri-block copolymer [poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene)] for sustained delivery of paclitaxel. This new polymer is specifically designed for this use and has a trade name of Translute , Paclitaxel can be released at a fast or a slow rate by varying the drug loading in the polymer matrix as shown in Figure 4. 

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