MORPHOLOGICAL-CHANGES PROBED AS RHEOKINETICS OF WHISKER-FILLED AND UNFILLED POLYMER BLENDS

The rheological time dependencies of both whisker-filled (composites) and unfilled PE/PIB and SAN/PA6 blends were studied as functions of co mposition and shear history. A three-step experiment of steady dynamic -steady shear was designed. Rupture and formation of the morphology in batch-compounded blends/composites was conveniently and accurately st udied in the first steady shear. The second step emphasises morphologi cal sensitivity in blends close to phase inversion. During the oscilla tion phase metamorphosis and whisker transport were noticed. The third step together with microscopy studies confirmed these observations. ( C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.