The concept of solid solvent as a processing aid

摘要

AbstractThe concept of solid solvent entails the use of low‐molecular weight crystalline materials (LMC) as a processing aid. A LMC as an ideal solid solvent mixed into a polymer is expected to become a solvent for the polymer at high processing temperatures, reducing the melt viscosity and thus enhancing the processability, but to become a nonsolvent for the polymer at low use temperatures precipitating out of the polymer without adversely affecting the properties of the polymer. The feasibility of such a concept was examined using acetanilide as a potential solid solvent for polystyrene (PS) and two ABA‐type block copolymers containing PS end blocks. Acetanilide demonstrated the essential features required of a solid solvent supporting the concept of solid solvent. It had a high solubility in PS at high temperatures very effectively reducing the melt viscosity of PS and the block copolymers, and it precipitated out of PS at low temperatures although it had an undesirably high residual solubility. The concept of solid solvent appears to be a viable