COIONOMERIC MIXTURES OF POLYHYDROXYETHERS AND ETHYLENE METHACRYLIC-ACID COPOLYMERS .1. EFFECTS OF CATION CONCENTRATION AND ABA OLIGOMERIC MISCIBILISERS ON MORPHOLOGY AND PROPERTIES

Mixtures of a phenoxy polymer (polyhydroxyether Of bis-phenol A) and a polyolefin ionomer (sodium ionomer of ethylene methacrylic acid copol ymer) were compatibilized by the addition of small amounts of sodium e thoxide and/or by the incorporation of varying amounts of A-B-A block oligomers. The latter were produced by reacting several bis-phenol A e poxy resins, varying in molecular weight, with montanic acid in order to provide segments soluble in each of the two polymer components of t he blend. Chemical miscibilization by the addition of sodium ethoxide changed the morphology into one containing larger amounts of cocontinu ous phases, while the incorporation of substantial amounts of A-B-A ol igomer brought about primarily the formation of irregular and highly e longated particles. The mixtures were found to exhibit the typical pro perties of ionomers which were enhanced by the addition of sodium etho xide. Furthermore sufficient evidence was gathered to establish that t he ionomeric aggregates are shared by both polymer components of the b lend, from which the term coionomeric mixture is derived. (C) 1993 Joh n Wiley & Sons, Inc.