Effect of compatibility on specific volume of molten polyblends

Abstract

AbstractThe specific volume of polymer blends with different degree of compatibility has been measured at high pressure, up to 2000 kg/cm2, in the molten state by a dilatometer. The specific volume and thermal expansion coefficient of the molten homopolymers at zero pressure were satisfactorily fitted to a simplified Simha–Somcynsky equation. The specific volume of styrene–butadiene (SBR) random copolymer, which is considered to be a compatible system, at a constant styrene composition can be calculated by an semiempirical equation based on the Tait equation. The temperature dependence of excess specific volume of SBR with different styrene content at zero pressure was estimated by a combining rule in terms of self‐and cross interactions. The concentration‐dependent equation is derived to estimate the specific volume of SBR with various styrene contents. Both the thermal and dynamic mechanical analysis of the blend from the two polystyrene (PS) and polybutadiene (BR) homopolymers show a low degree of compatibility. The weight fractions of each domain consisting of PS blending with BR and those of the components in each domain can be calculated from the mass balance on the two domains and the rearranged Couchman equation. The specific volume of PS–BR composed of two phases obeys the principle of additivity from the weight fractions of the specific volume of the corresponding phases. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.