Chemical modification and blending of polymers in an extruder reactor

Chemical modification and blending of polymers occurring in an extruder rea ctor are discussed. The relationships between the times of blending and che mical reaction and the residence time of the system in the extruder reactor , influencing the reaction kinetics and the structure of the materials prod uced, are analysed. The mechanisms of grafting of low-molecular-mass compou nds to polymers, reactions between the polymer terminal groups, transesteri fication and exchange reactions are considered. Factors affecting the mecha nism of dynamic vulcanisation and the properties of thermoplastic elastomer s are elucidated. Solid-phase reactions of polysacharides in the extruder a re discussed. The most topical lines of research into the chemical modifica tion and blending of polymers are noted.