A composition-morphology mapping of particle-filled polymer blends up to high fill fraction

Derrick Amoabeng, David Roell, Kendal Klouse, Brian A. Young, Sachin S. Velankar

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study explores the effects of particulate filler on the morphology of two immiscible high-molecular-weight thermoplastic polymers across a wide range of composition. Blends of polyisobutylene (PIB) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) with silica particle loadings of up to 30 vol% were studied. The silica particles have a strong affinity for PEO, and hence the effects of particles on the morphology depend on whether or not there is sufficient PEO to engulf the particles. We observe two morphologies that are qualitatively different from those seen in particle-free polymer blends: one in which particles are bonded together by small menisci of PEO, and the other in which a highly-filled particles-in-PEO phase percolates throughout the sample. Other morphologies in filled blends resemble droplet-matrix or cocontinuous morphologies in corresponding unfilled blends. Overall, particles have major effects on the morphology when the polymer preferred by the particles (PEO) is in a minority, but only modest effects when the preferred polymer is in a majority.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication75th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Plastics Engineers, SPE ANTEC Anaheim 2017
PublisherSociety of Plastics Engineers
Pages2081-2085
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9780878493609
ISBN (Print)978-0-692-88309-9
StatePublished - 2017
Event75th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Plastics Engineers, SPE ANTEC Anaheim 2017 - Anaheim, United States
Duration: May 8 2017May 10 2017

Publication series

NameAnnual Technical Conference - ANTEC, Conference Proceedings
Volume2017-May

Other

Other75th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Plastics Engineers, SPE ANTEC Anaheim 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnaheim
Period5/8/175/10/17

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Polymers and Plastics

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