On the surface free energy of PVC/EVA polymer blends: Comparison of different calculation methods

The surface free energy of polymeric films of polyvinylchloride (PVC) + pol y(ethylene-co-vinylacetate) (EVA) blends was calculated using the van Oss t reatment (Lifshitz and electron donor-electron acceptor components of surfa ce free energy) and the Owens-Wendt treatment (dispersive and nondispersive components of surface free energy). Surface free energy results were found to be greatly dependent on the calculation method and on the number of sta ndard liquids used for contact angle measurements. The nondispersive/donor- acceptor surface free energy component and the total surface free energy of polymeric films were always higher when the van Oss treatment was used com pared to the Owens-Wendt treatment. Conversely, both methods led to similar apolar/Lifshitz components. All the calculation methods were in good agree ment for the surface free energy of PVC; however, a discrepancy between the methods arose as EVA content in the blends increased. It seems that there is not yet a definite solution for the calculation of solid surface free en ergy. Further developments of existing models are needed in order to gain c onsistency when calculating this important physicochemical quantity. (C) 19 98 Academic Press.