Study on the morphology of polyvinyl chloride/polystyrene blends by electron microprobe analysis

The morphology of polyvinyl chloride/polystyrene (PVC/PS) blend samples wit h different mass ratios, prepared by means of solution casting and melt mix ing, have been successfully examined by electron microprobe analysis (EMP). This experiment was performed in a scanning electron microscope attached t o an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer. Differential scanning calorimetry wa s also used to investigate the phase separation of the blends. The results show that PVC and PS are incompatible and the blends have sea-islands phase structures. Blends prepared via melt mixing have finer phase-dispersion th an those prepared via solution casting.