V. Everaert et al., Phase morphology development in immiscible PP/(PS/PPE) blends influence ofthe melt-viscosity ratio and blend composition, POLYMER, 40(24), 1999, pp. 6627-6644
Immiscible blends of isotactic polypropylene (PP) with a miscible amorphous
phase containing varying concentrations of polystyrene (PS) and poly (2,6-
dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) (PPE) were prepared in the melt, to study the
influence of the blend composition and the melt-viscosity ratio, p, on the
phase morphology. This model blend system offers the unique opportunity to
vary the composition of the miscible amorphous PS/PPE phase, without affec
ting the global interfacial tension, a crucial parameter with respect to ph
ase morphology development. All immiscible PP/(PS/PPE) blends were prepared
in a co-rotating twin-screw mini-extruder under constant processing condit
ions. The location of the phase inversion region was strongly related to th
e viscosity ratio. A composite-like morphology was observed in this region.
To be able to separate the effects of droplet break-up and coalescence wit
h respect to particle size, blends containing only 1 wt.% dispersed phase w
ere investigated over a viscosity ratio range from 0.05 to 20. The results
showed a clear dependence of the blend phase morphology on the viscosity ra
tio; highly viscous matrices (p much less than 1) enhance droplet break-up
due to their efficient shear stress transfer towards the dispersed phase an
d the higher dispersive forces acting on it; low viscous matrices (p > 1) o
ften act as a lubricant for the dispersed phase reducing droplet break-up.
The influence of the viscosity ratio on droplet break-up is reflected in th
e particle diameter in blends with a concentration of the dispersed phase u
p to 20 wt.%. In the latter case, blends with a low viscosity ratio (p < 1)
offer the best approach towards a fine and stable phase morphology, unlike
suggestions in the literature. Blends containing higher concentrations of
the minor phase (>20 wt.%) exhibit strong coalescence during melt-mixing; t
he influence of the viscosity ratio on the final blend phase morphology bec
omes less obvious, and the finest dispersion was observed at p = 1. Only bl
ends of a lower viscous matrix in which a highly viscous phase has to be di
spersed, do not follow the previous tendency as a result of the strong impa
ct of a changing overall melt-viscosity. A quiescent thermal treatment of t
he blends showed that the concentration of the dispersed phase is the most
important factor determining phase coarsening in blends having nearly equal
melt-viscosities. Blending a highly viscous component with a low viscous c
omponent seems to counteract quiescent phase coarsening. (C) 1999 Elsevier
Science Ltd. All rights reserved.