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Direct 3D Visualization of the Phase‐Separated Morphology in Chlorinated Polyethylene/Nylon Terpolyamide Based Thermoplastic Elastomers
Author(s) -
Crisenza Tommaso,
Butt HansJürgen,
Koynov Kaloian,
Simonutti Roberto
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201100622
Subject(s) - materials science , thermoplastic elastomer , composite material , ultimate tensile strength , morphology (biology) , elastomer , thermoplastic , polyethylene , nylon 6 , polymer blend , phase (matter) , polymer , compatibilization , copolymer , chemistry , organic chemistry , biology , genetics
Blends of chlorinated polyethylene and nylon‐6/‐6,6/‐12 terpolyamide were prepared. The ratio of the two components was systematically varied within the blends. The mechanical behavior of the samples was analyzed with tensile tests and dynamical mechanical analysis showing that, for several ratios, materials with improved mechanical properties typical of thermoplastic elastomers were obtained. In such a mechanical regime, a co‐continuous phase‐separated morphology was clearly evidenced at the microscopic scale by 3D laser scanning confocal fluorescent microscopy (LSCFM). At blend compositions where plastic tensile behavior is observed, LSCFM reveals dispersed spheres of one component in the other.