Specific Interactions And The Miscibility Of Polymer Blends

This book with software provides powerful tools for the analysis, prediction and creation of new polymer blends, an area of significant commercial potential. The R&D approaches and methods described in the book have attracted the interest of polymer R&D leaders in industry, and have been put into use in several major chemical companies. The companion set of computer programs speeds and facilitates work in this area. FROM THE AUTHORS' PREFACE: During the 1980's a steadily increasing number of compatible systems [polymer blends] have been reported. We believe that miscible mixtures will prove to be fairly common and the purpose of this book is to explore the circumstances in which single phase materials can be obtained. We will also describe a model for the phase behavior of these mixtures which we believe to have a predictive value, or be used as a practical guide to polymer miscibility. Our approach is based on the use of association models which have until recently been largely ignored in treating hydrogen bonding in polymer mixtures. They have most frequently been applied to mixtures of alcohols with simple hydrocarbons, where the equilibrium constants used to describe association have most frequently been determined by a fit to thermodynamic data (e.g., vapor pressures, heat of mixing). In our work we have sought to, first, adapt this approach to a description of the phase behavior of polymer mixtures; second, develop spectroscopic methods that provide an independent measurement of the equilibrium constants. Our purpose in this book is to explore and describe this approach and illustrate its broad utility. We address two overlapping yet different audiences. One would be primarily interested in the broad nature of this approach and the practical applications of a simple model. The second would be more interested in the derivations of the equations and some of the fundamental aspects of the spectroscopy of these systems. Accor

Polymer–Polymer Miscibility discusses miscibility of polymeric mixtures. This book explains the theoretical and practical aspects of polymer miscibility, which has become a considerable area of research in many academic and industrial laboratories. Comprised of seven chapters, this book starts with an overview of the physical nature of the variations of the basic polymer structure. This monograph then discusses the two cases of miscible polymer blends, namely, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)–butadiene/acrylonitrile copolymer (NBR) and polystyrene–poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) blends. This text explores the useful and unique properties of blends of poly(vinyl chloride) and butadiene/acrylonitrile copolymer rubber. Other chapters discuss the thermodynamic theories for the phase separation of block copolymers. The reader is also introduced to other variations of chemical structure, which can result in the permanent attachment of polymers to each other through block and graft copolymers. This text also explores the feasibility of covalent bonding of polymer components. This book is intended for chemical engineers and materials scientists.

The accompanying CD-ROM contains a set of original programs that allow one to calculate solubility parameters, provide a guide to polymer miscibility, and allow the calculation of the phase behavior of hydrogen-bonded polymer systems. The book is divided into two parts. In the first part, the authors describe the principles underlying the simple guide to polymer blend miscibility, which are the basis of the programs Miscibility Checker and Miscibility Guide. The second part is more rigorous and pertains to hydrogen bonded polymer blends and forms the basis of the program Phase Calculator.

Filling the gap for a reference dedicated to the characterization of polymer blends and their micro and nano morphologies, this book provides comprehensive, systematic coverage in a one-stop, two-volume resource for all those working in the field. Leading researchers from industry and academia, as well as from government and private research institutions around the world summarize recent technical advances in chapters devoted to their individual contributions. In so doing, they examine a wide range of modern characterization techniques, from microscopy and spectroscopy to diffraction, thermal analysis, rheology, mechanical measurements and chromatography. These methods are compared with each other to assist in determining the best solution for both fundamental and applied problems, paying attention to the characterization of nanoscale miscibility and interfaces, both in blends involving copolymers and in immiscible blends. The thermodynamics, miscibility, phase separation, morphology and interfaces in polymer blends are also discussed in light of new insights involving the nanoscopic scale. Finally, the authors detail the processing-morphology-property relationships of polymer blends, as well as the influence of processing on the generation of micro and nano morphologies, and the dependence of these morphologies on the properties of blends. Hot topics such as compatibilization through nanoparticles, miscibility of new biopolymers and nanoscale investigations of interfaces in blends are also addressed. With its application-oriented approach, handpicked selection of topics and expert contributors, this is an outstanding survey for anyone involved in the field of polymer blends for advanced technologies.

Miscibility and compatibility in polymer blends is a topic of great academic and industrial importance. This is because miscibility and compatibility contribute to morphology, properties, and performance. Miscibility results in one phase; compatibility creates a disperse phase with size and stability determined by interfacial interactions. Miscible polymer properties are averaged similar to a plasticizer polymer, and compatible polymers retain properties of each component, such as toughening or reinforcement. With miscible polymer blends the continuous phase dominates properties; the disperse phase contributes via stress transfer. This chapter revisits the criteria for miscibility or compatibility in polymer blends and the contributors of compatibility compared with miscibility and incompatibility. Development of copolymers and their blending with thermosets and thermoplastics result in complex two-phase morphologies. The dynamics of phase separation observed in polymer blends leading to different morphologies and the criteria for phase separation is explained. A nanometer-dispersed phase requires strong interfacial interactions to stabilize the large interfacial area, and this is favored by rapid spinodal phase separation compared with size diminution by high shear. Nanoblends open up a new arena for polymer blends, and research shows that nanoblends have outstanding optical and mechanical properties.

Over 30% of commercial polymers are blends or alloys or one kind or another. Nanostructured blends offer the scientist or plastics engineer a new range of possibilities with characteristics including thermodynamic stablility; the potential to improve material transparency, creep and solvent resistance; the potential to simultaneously increase tensile strength and ductility; superior rheological properties; and relatively low cost. Nanostructured Polymer Blends opens up immense structural possibilities via chemical and mechanical modifications that generate novel properties and functions and high-performance characteristics at a low cost. The emerging applications of these new materials cover a wide range of industry sectors, encompassing the coatings and adhesives industry, electronics, energy (photovoltaics), aerospace and medical devices (where polymer blends provide innovations in biocompatible materials). This book explains the science of nanostructure formation and the nature of interphase formations, demystifies the design of nanostructured blends to achieve specific properties, and introduces the applications for this important new class of nanomaterial. All the key topics related to recent advances in blends are covered: IPNs, phase morphologies, composites and nanocomposites, nanostructure formation, the chemistry and structure of additives, etc. Introduces the science and technology of nanostructured polymer blends – and the procedures involved in melt blending and chemical blending to produce new materials with specific performance characteristics Unlocks the potential of nanostructured polymer blends for applications across sectors, including electronics, energy/photovoltaics, aerospace/automotive, and medical devices (biocompatible polymers) Explains the performance benefits in areas including rheological properties, thermodynamic stablility, material transparency, solvent resistance, etc.

A complete and timely overview of the topic, this Encyclopedia imparts knowledge of fundamental principles and their applications for academicians, scientists and researchers, while informing engineers, industrialists and entrepreneurs of the current state of the technology and its utilization. The most comprehensive source on polymer blends available on the market Offers a complete and timely overview of the topic Each article presents up to date research & development on a topic and its basic principles and applications, integrates case studies, laboratory and pilot plant experiments, and gives due reference to published and patented literature Equips academics, scientists and researchers with knowledge of fundamentals principles and their applications, and informs the engineers, industrialists and entrepreneurs about the state of the art technology and its applications