Effects of Phase Inversion on Molding Shrinkage, Mechanical, and Burning Properties of Injection-molded PET/HDPE and PS/HDPE Polymer Blends

The study deals with the effects of forming morphological structures in immiscible polymer blends, where polyethylene terephthalate and polystyrene were mixed with high-density polyethylene. While tracking phase inversion, the composition ratio was altered with small increments by volume. The results revealed that the molding shrinkage depends significantly on the dispersed phase. Due to the heterogeneity and lack of adhesion between the phases, tensile strength differed from the linear mixing role, particularly in the case of polyethylene matrix. Depending on which component formed the continuous phase of blends, major differences were detectable during the flammability test. [GRAPHICS] .