Morphology development of polymer blends in extruder: The effects of compatibilization and rotation rate

Abstract

The effects of reactive compatibilization and extruder rotation rate on morphology development of polymer blends are studied. Morphology develops faster in compatibilized blends than that in their uncompatibilized counterparts. Based on force analysis, it has been proved that compatibilization facilitates dispersion by reducing slip at the interface of polymer phases. Rotation rate influences the morphology development of polymer blends by changing the residence time of polymers in the extruder. For uncompatibilized blends, the 400 rpm run results in finer microstructure at the outlet of the extruder than the 1000 rpm run. Compatibilization suppresses this effect by reaching a steady-state morphology before the outlet and results in similar microstructure for the 400 and 1000 rpm runs. © 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.