Analysis of the Phase Structure Development During the Melt Mixing of Polymer Blends

摘要

The paper presents analysis of the phase structure development in polymer blends, where a minor component is dispersed in the matrix consisting of a major component, during the melt mixing. Problems of modelling of the flow field in mixing devices are briefly discussed. Relevant results of theoretical and experimental studies of the droplet breakup and coalescence are summarized. Theories dealing with the competition between droplet breakup and coalescence are discussed in detail. Their results are compared with experimentally determined dependences of the size of dispersed droplets on mixing conditions, properties of the components, and blend composition.