Orientation and mechanical properties of polycarbonate‐ linear low density polyethylene blends

Abstract

AbstractFive blends of polycarbonate (PC) with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) were studied. Characterization of the blends was made by means of rheological measurements and domain morphology determined by SEM microscopy. A fine dispersion was obtained for the 25/75 PC/LLDPE. The blends were then oriented, LLDPE and 25/75 PC/LLDPE at room temperature, and the others at 165°C. For the hot drawn blends (50/50 and 75/25 PC/LLDPE), a significant increase in tensile strength and elongation at break is observed. For the room temperature drawn samples, modulus and tensile strength values increase whereas elongation at break decreases. This is explained in terms of morphological and molecular orientation effects. Comparison of the experiments to the predictions of different models for the modulus shows a good agreement for unoriented blends. However, for oriented samples, important discrepancies are observed, suggesting that the morphology and orientation are important factors in predicting the modulus of these blends. A model which takes into account these factors is proposed and a good fit of the modulus is obtained.