Rheological properties of polyvinylidene fluoride and polymethyl methacrylate engineering alloys

Abstract

AbstractRecent concerns over smoke toxicity and optical properties have forced the electrical/electronics industries, particularly the wire and cable and fiber‐optics industries, to focus attention on the development of new materials. The demands are critical for these applications and include not only optical and flammability properties but also thermal and mechanical properties, and, of course, processability. Acrylic‐fluoroplastic alloys are exceptional candidates for meeting such requirements. Along with various optical evaluation and traditional mechanical testing, dynamic mechanical testing (DMT) procedures, as specified by ASTM protocols, can be used to evaluate, qualify, and quantify alloys for their end‐use properties and processability. Specifically, this paper shows how DMT can be used to monitor both the solid and melt rheological properties of several PMMA/PVDF alloys. Important results of this study include the evaluation of compatibility/miscibility, modulus as a function of temperature, melt viscosity as a function of shear rate, and melt viscosity as a function of temperature.