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Inter‐ and intrachain elastic interactions in polymers and polymer blends
Author(s) -
Lin Kenneth S. C.,
Aklonis J. J.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760240803
Subject(s) - materials science , viscoelasticity , glass transition , polystyrene , polymer , relaxation (psychology) , polymer blend , phenylene , intramolecular force , stress relaxation , diluent , thermodynamics , chemical physics , polymer chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , creep , chemistry , psychology , social psychology , physics , copolymer
The damped Debye lattice or damped torsional oscillator model for viscoelastic relaxation in the primary transition region takes into account elastic interchain interactions as well as the more usually invoked intrachain interactions. To test the importance of these interchain interactions, we have applied this model to compatible blends formed from atactic polystyrene (PS) and poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (PPO). Qualitative predictions of the variation of stress relaxation behavior of the blends as a function of PPO concentration have been made. Also, predictions concerning properties of these blends upon dilution suggest very distinctive behaviors. We have measured stress relaxation master curves in the primary transition region of PS‐PPO blends of various concentrations and have found that the predicted behavior is indeed observed. Furthermore, the unusual effects of dilution on the properties of these blends have been observed with dioctyl phthalate used as diluent. These results show that inter‐ as well as the more familiar intramolecular elastic interactions are important factors in determining viscoelastic behavior of bulk polymers in this transition region.