Miscible Polymer Blends: Local interaction energy theories and simulations

Polymer blends of two components, in general, are not miscible. However, according to Karasz‐MacKnight theory, intramolecular repulsion may outweigh intermolecular repulsion and cause two polymers to have a net interaction. Using a simple short chain molecular model incorporating both interand intramolecular interactions, estimates of net interaction energies for a series of polymeric imides, benzimidazoles and related high‐performance polymers can be calculated and used to predict miscibility in excellent agreement with experimental results, thus providing a useful confirmation of theory and a focus for the direction of further experimental work.