The Mechanical Properties of Homogeneous Glassy Polymer Blends

Abstract

The mechanical properties of a number of homogeneous glassy polymer blends are reviewed. To a first approximation these properties are additive. In many cases negative deviations in ductility are seen that can be attributed to suppression of glassy state relaxations, which, in turn, are thought to arise from negative volumes and heats of mixing. Two blend systems are known, however, for which the measured properties appear to be additive. Probable requirements for suppressing negative deviations in ductility and the small probability of finding homogeneous glassy systems manifesting positive deviations in ductility are discussed.