INFLUENCE OF DRYING CONDITION ON DYNAMIC VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF IMMISCIBLE BLEND OF POLYAMIDE AND POLY(PHENYLENE ETHER)

The dynamic viscoelastic properties of an immiscible blend of polyamid e and poly(phenylene ether) were analyzed by a nonresonant forced vibr ation method. The blend material used was a commercial product (Ultran yl KR4520 from BASF). SEM photographs of blend specimen after dissolut ion of PA66 showed a clear spherical structure of poly(phenylene ether ). Also, the variation of storage modulus E' with temperature and the peaks of loss modulus E '' exhibited characteristics or the immiscible blend system, The effects of drying conditions and heat-treatment on dynamic mechanical properties of blend were studied. At least 120 h dr ying was necessary to reach the constant weight for PA66/PPE blend at 80 degrees C under vacuum. The dynamic viscoelastic properties of blen d materials containing polyamide phase were sensitive to moisture cont ents. The temperature dependence of dynamic storage and loss moduli of PA66/PPE blend and PA66 can be accurately measured by performing care ful and adequate conditioning of specimens.