Rheology of co-continuous phase in physical thermoplastic elastomers

Nowadays, chemical and physical thermoplastic elastomers have found many applications in different industries. Compatibilizer and co-continuous composition are among the important factors which control the optimum properties of a number of physical blends. Morphology, mechanical and rheological properties of various blends of polystyrene (PS) and polybutadiene were investigated. The results show that the co-continuous composition for these blends is located in-between 24 and 35 wt% of PS. These blends show a negative deviation from the viscosity logarithmic additivity rule. This observation suggests an improvement in the interactions between the phases in co-continuous composition. Rheological and mechanical properties were used in determination of the co-continuous phase. (C) 2004 Society of Chemical Industry.