Morphology and the elastic modulus of block polymers and polyblends

Abstract

The theory of the elastic moduli of composite materials in which an inversion of the phases can occur is reviewed. The morphology of the system and the packing fraction of the dispersed phase are important in determining the moduli. The applicability of the theoretical equations is illustrated for four systems of block polymers and polyblends. In three of the systems, phase inversion occurs. Agreement between theory and experiment is good, and where the morphology of the composites is known, the moduliagree with the values expected for that morphology.