EFFECTS OF DISPERSION ON FLOW AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF POLYMER BLENDS

Blends of linear polyethylene and ethylene‐propylenediene elastomer, representing the entire composition range, were prepared under various conditions of shear intensity. It was found that both viscoelastic flow parameters and mechanical properties at large deformation respond strongly to variations in shear history of material preparation. Mechanical degradation of the polymers not being detected, it is postulated that property variations are due to morphological effects related to domain sizes of the two components and to the ease of molecular diffusion across domain boundaries. Thus, mechanical properties develop over finite times of mixing, consistent with the attainment of steady states in domain sizes. Maximum sensitivity of mechanical properties to mixing variables is found for 50/50 blends of the polymers, which have maximum interdomain contact areas. It appears feasible to develop desired balances of flow and mechanical properties in such polyblends through the close control of component dispersion processes. Copyright © 1979 Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc.