ISSN:
0003-3146
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Physics
Notes:
The utilization of rubber mixtures is to achieve a desired combination of properties and performance spectrum of elastomers is nowadays of a considerable technological and economical importance. The successful implementation of this concept requires the knowledge of the factors governing both the phase behaviour of rubber blends and the morphology of phase separated blends. Thermodynamic theories referring to miscibility and phase separation of polymers are briefly reviewed, with a specific focus on nonpolar polymers with high chain flexibility. It can be shown on the simple lattice that this theory works qualitatively for these systems. Reliable predictions are questionable due to the lack of equation of state parameters for the polymers of interest and temperature and concentration dependence of the interaction parameter χ.Concerning the morphology of phase separated rubber blends the main influences governing the structure of the entire system (i) the interfacial tension, (ii) the viscosity of the matrix (iii) and the shear stress are discussed in more detail. It has been pointed out that for technological usability a better knowledge about the interdiffusion of polymers and the properties of the interphase, built in this would be not only of scientific interest but also beneficial for high performance elastomer blends. It would also be useful to know more about the dispersion of polymers at short mixing times and elevated temperatures. Because it has been considered until recently that polymer miscibility occurs only if strong specific segmental interaction are involved, emphasis was dedicated to oligomer/rubber- and rubber/rubber-systems which exhibit miscibility and phase transitions through a convex coexistence curve into a homogeneous region. Consequences of phase transitions at high mixing temperatures for specific tire applications are suggested.
Additional Material:
20 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/apmc.1992.052020110
