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Polystyrene/Polycarbonate/Polystyrene‐ block ‐Polycaprolactone blends. Emulsification and mechanical performance
Author(s) -
McKay Ian D.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1991.070420201
Subject(s) - polystyrene , materials science , polycarbonate , polycaprolactone , composite material , differential scanning calorimetry , polymer , copolymer , polymer blend , polyetherimide , polymer chemistry , physics , thermodynamics
Two polystyrene–polycaprolactone diblock copolymers, of differing molecular weights, have been extrusion‐blended with polystyrene and polycarbonate. The morphologies of the resultant blends were studied using differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. In all compositions studied, the polystyrene and polycarbonate phases exhibited discrete glass transitions indicative of the immiscibility of these components. However, addition of the copolymer increased the extent of dispersion of the homopolymer components within one another quite effectively. Blend specimens were tested with respect to tensile, flexural, impact, thermal, and flow characteristics to probe the effects of morphology and composition on these factors. In general, the blends were rigid, brittle materials with thermal characteristics in the range between those of the polystyrene and polycarbonate components. Addition of polystyrene‐ block ‐polycaprolactone polymer to the blends resulted in increased brittleness, reduced thermal performance, maintenance of rigidity, and improved flow.