Abstract
This paper will review the important developments in the field of polymer blends. The subject of polymer blends has been one of the most prolific areas in polymer science and technology in the past five decades judging from publications and patents on the subject. Although a continuing important subject, the peak intensity occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. The author has been active in this area for five decades and this paper is a recollection of some of the important milestones/breakthroughs in the field. The discussion will cover the development of the theory relevant to polymer blends, experimental methods, approaches to achieve compatibility in immiscible/incompatible blends, the nature of phase separation and commercial activity.
Highlights
The area of polymer blends has been a major topic of polymer research and development for almost five decades
Various reasons were responsible for this increased interest, one significant factor was the emergence of a major engineering polymer blend based on polystyrene and poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO)
One of the earliest commercial examples of miscible polymer blends involved the mixture of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber yielding a permanently plasticized PVC [3,4]
Summary
The area of polymer blends has been a major topic of polymer research and development for almost five decades. Various reasons were responsible for this increased interest, one significant factor was the emergence of a major engineering polymer blend based on polystyrene ( impact polystyrene) and poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO). The miscibility of this blend allowed for useful properties over the composition range. The observation of miscibility for polystyrene and PPO (where no obvious strong interaction exists) led to numerous academic studies directed towards understanding polymer miscibility Another reason for the surge in polymer blend activity was the recognition that polymeric blends (alloys) could have an analogous importance that had been demonstrated for metal alloys. The theoretical framework for polymer blend thermodynamics will be reviewed and the important advances in the experimental methods for assessing the thermodynamic interactions (e.g., heat of mixing)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
