Carbon black effect on the microstructure of incompatible polymer blends

This work reports on a study of the effects exerted by carbon black (CB) on the microstructure of the incompatible polymer blend polyvinylidene fluoride/polyamide (PVDF/PA) by means of calorimetric and dynamic mechanical determinations of the glass transition temperatures, as well as the isothermal crystallization kinetics. The results demonstrate partial polymer compatibilization to take place in the PVDF-rich phase, as a consequence of an improvement in component adhesion at the CB-PVDF interface. In addition, CB is shown to modify the isothermal crystallization kinetic parameters. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.