Morphology development in polyethylene/polystyrene blends: the influence of processing conditions and interfacial modification

Abstract

The influence of processing conditions and interfacial modification on the morphology evolution and the composition range within which fully co‐continuous high density polyethylene/polystyrene blend structures can exist during blending in a single screw extruder was studied. Blends ranging from pure A to pure B component, with and without compatibilizer, were prepared under two different shear rates. It was found that high shear rates displaced the breakdown–coalescence balance of the dispersed nodules to the side of coalescence, narrowing the percolation domain and the critical composition for full co‐continuity decreased with increasing shear rates. The addition of a tri‐block compatibilizer induced the percolation threshold of the polystyrene phase to begin at lower percentages of polyethylene but the phase inversion point did not change. The experimental results are discussed in the light of various theoretical models. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry

Morphology and Rheological Properties of Polyethylene/Polystyrene Blends

“…Figure 4a shows the morphology of the fractured surface of the binary PE/PS 90/10 blend. The SEM analysis revealed a two-phase morphology with a rather large polydispersity of spherical PS particles in the PE matrix and cavities caused by the removal of nodules as a result of high interfacial tension 4 . The PS domain sizes ranges from 1 to 4 μm in diameter.…”

“…In a previous work 4 we studied the effect of the processing conditions and interfacial modifi cation on the morphology development in a high density polyethylene/polystyrene blend system. The aim of this contribution is to relate these morphologies to the rheological properties.…”

Application of percolation model on the brittle to ductile transition for polystyrene and polyolefin elastomer blends

“…Three pieces of each sample were used to obtain an average value. The percent continuity can be defined as the weight ratio of the POE phase involved in the continuous path divided by the total weight of the theoretical POE phase [34]. The POE phase involved in the continuous path is the dissolved phase:…”

Development of Temperature Buffering Material Concepts Based on Electro-Hydrodynamic Processing of Interest in the Food Cold Chain

“…Jarusuwannapoom et al 45 concluded that DMF is the best solvent since it provided PS fibers with highest productivity and optimal morphological characteristics due to its high boiling point, solution conductivity and high dielectric constant compared to other solvents. Whereas that Casper et al 43 and Jaziri et al 44 used THF to dissolve PS with very good results. As commented above, other solvents were also tested but they did not provided suitable solubility, viscosity, surface tension and/or conductivity to polymeric solutions.…”

“…Based on previous studies, [43][44][45][46][47] the best candidates to dissolve the polystyrene (PS) and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) were DMF and tetrahydrofuran (THF) since both provided appropriate electrospinning properties to the polymer solutions. Jarusuwannapoom et al 45 concluded that DMF is the best solvent since it provided PS fibers with highest productivity and optimal morphological characteristics due to its high boiling point, solution conductivity and high dielectric constant compared to other solvents.…”