Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-13T00:50:35.607Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Morphological effects on Glass Transitions in Immiscible Polymer Blends

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Vivek M. Thirtha
Affiliation:
Dept of Ceramic and Materials Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ 08854, USA
Richard L. Lehman
Affiliation:
Dept of Ceramic and Materials Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ 08854, USA
Thomas J. Nosker
Affiliation:
Dept of Ceramic and Materials Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ 08854, USA
Get access

Abstract

This paper describes the effects of structures on the glass transition of glassy polymers blended with a semi-crystalline polymer. Immiscible blends of PS/PP and PS/HDPE were prepared from commercially available polymers using melt processing and extrusion without additives. The weight fractions of the components were varied from 0 to 1. SEM analysis of the blends showed a range of morphologies over the composition range from small inclusions at low volume concentrations through intertwined co-continuous structures at specific intermediate compositions, and a reversal of this configuration at high volume fractions. The glass transition of the glassy polymer was measured with differential scanning calorimetry using the sensitive and high resolution modulated DSC method. A systematic change in glass transition of glassy polymers is observed as a function of composition in various immiscible polymer blends. Results show that the glass transition of polystyrene increases with a reduction in volume fraction, by approximately 5.4°C in polypropylene and 6.5°C in polyethylene. Probable models which might explain this effect are mentioned.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2005

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Fujiyama, M., Journal of Applied Polymer Science 63, 1015 (1997)Google Scholar
2. Bourry, D. and Favis, B. D., Journal of Polymer Science: Part B: Polymer Physics, 36, (1998)Google Scholar
3. Horak, Z., Kolarik, J., Sipek, M., Hynek, V. and Vecerka, F., Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 69, 2615 (1998)Google Scholar
4. Wenig, W., Fiedel, H. W. and Scholl, A., Colloid and Polymer Science 168, 528 (1990)Google Scholar
5. Utracki, L. A., Polymer Alloys and Blends: Thermodynamics and Rheology, (Hanser, 1989)Google Scholar
6. Jiang, Q., Shi, H. X. and Li, J. C., Thin Solid Films 354, 283 (1999)Google Scholar
7. Zhang, Z., Zhao, M. and Jiang, Q., Physica B 293, 232 (2001)Google Scholar
8. Bates, F. S., C. R. E., and Argon, A. S., Macromolecules 16, 1108 (1983)Google Scholar
9. Greco, R. and Sorrentino, A., Advances in Polymer Technology 13, 249 (1994)Google Scholar
10. Mucha, M., Colloid and Polymer Science 264, 859 (1986)Google Scholar
11. Greco, R., Hopfenberg, H. B., Martuscelli, E., Ragosta, G. and Demma, G., Polymer Engineering and Science 18, 654 (1978)Google Scholar
12. Reinsch, V. E. and Rebenfeld, L., Journal of Applied Polymer Science 59, 1913 (1996)Google Scholar
13. Reading, M., Trends in Polymer Science 1, 248 (1993)Google Scholar
14. Jordhamo, G. M., Mason, J. A. and Sperling, L. H., Polymer Engineering and Science 26, 517 (1986)Google Scholar
15. Halimatudahliana, , Ismail, H. and Nasir, M., Polymer Testing 21, 263 (2002)Google Scholar
16. Wang, Y., Zhang, Q. and Qiang, F., Macromolecular Rapid Communications 24, 231 (2003)Google Scholar
17. Nosker, T. J., PhD Thesis, Rutgers University, 1988 Google Scholar
18. Thirtha, V. M., Lehman, R. L. and Nosker, T. J., Polymer Engineering and Science (2004)Google Scholar