Characterization of Polymer Blend (Polystyrene/High Density Polyethylene) Using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR)

Abstract

World’s population increases by the day, calling for more modern technological needs, polymer blending is the alternative in the realm of material science and engineering because today’s technology necessitates materials with amalgamated properties that are deficient in conventional class of polymers. In this research work, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene (PS) were blended in various percentage proportions, which are 100% HDPE 0% PS, and 50% HDPE/50% PS. Various characterization research was conducted to determine the properties of both the PB1 and PB2 using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR). A water absorption test was also conducted on the prepared blends. The results revealed that the PB2 exhibits better properties than the PB1 due to more strength and water absorption