Oligomer-polymer blends based on solvent-crazed polymers

The feasibility of preparation of oligomer-polymer blends by means of the solvent crazing technique is considered. An analysis of the mechanical behavior of polymers and porosity of deformed films led to the conclusion that polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol in their liquid state are adsorption-active environments effective toward PET and HDPE. The stretching of PET and HDPE in these environments follows the mechanisms of classical and delocalized solvent crazing, respectively. The blends based on PET and HDPE containing polyethylene glycol 400, polypropylene glycol 400, and polypropylene glycol 3000 with an amount of the hydrophilic component of 25–45% were prepared. Most blends retained their stability with time. The exception is the PET-PEG 400 blend, which exhibited a sustained release of the liquid component.