THERMAL, RHEOLOGICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLY(ETHER-BLOCK-AMIDE) COMPOUNDS FILLED WITH BaSO_4

摘要

In the present study, various radiopaque compounds of a poly(ether-block-amide) copolymer resin filled with radiopaque barium sulfate particles at different loading levels were prepared by melt-compounding using a lab-scale twin-screw intermeshing, co-rotating extruder. Thermal, rheological and mechanical properties of these polymer compounds were measured using various material characterization techniques, including thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic rheometry, uniaxial tensile tests and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The effects of barium sulfate filler and its loading levels on material properties are evaluated and discussed. The results obtained are in an aim to attain synergistic balance among various material property attributes for the sake of optimum end-use performance in medical devices.