Summary, Conclusion, and Outlook

The study of blends by physical aging is stiU largely unexplored and requires close attention both from the experimental and theoretical standpoint. One major advance would be the ability to crosscorrelate mechanical and thermodynamic physical aging data, but while there is a theory that links the two this is imperfect and requires refinement. One problem is that the aging processes, when followed by these different methods, proceed at different rates. If conditions could be established that led to these proceeding at equal rates then this cross-correlation would be possible. 

Degradation of polymers is a science of long standing and little more may be said about it at this stage but the area of blend weathering is of fundamental importance. 

Much remains to be done in all of these areas and as each aspect deals with the long-term performance of polymers and blends it would be helpful to have collaboration amongst the various research groups working on their individual areas to obtain a more coherent approach to the study of long range, material performance. 

HeUmann, G. R, Narkis, M., and Siegmann, A. in Vortr. Poster-Symp. Materialforsch, Vol. 3. Vierkom-Rudolph, B., LUlack, D. and Clar, H.-J., Eds., Forschungszentrum Juelich, Germany (1991). 

Butcher, E., University Queen Mary College, Case student 2nd year progress report (1992). 

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The study is structured into three parts framed by an introductory chapter and a summary, conclusions and outlook chapter at the end as shown in fig. 2. 

Example application of the continuum model Summary, conclusions, and outlook... 

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