POLYMER BLENDS HANDBOOK

(Two Volumes, 1442 pages)

Edited by: L.A. Utracki

Published by: Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2002

Book Review

Prof. Dr. Olgun Güven

Department of Chemistry
Hacettepe University
Beytepe, 06532, Ankara
Turkey

The study of the processing-morphology-property relations of polymer blends has become a

topic of major scientific importance during the past 20 years mainly because of intensified
technological interest in this area. Annually about 4900 patents related to polymer blends are
published world-wide. There are various reasons for today’ focus on polymer blends. A
remarkable broad spectrum of properties can be achieved by blending. Development of new
polymers with special properties by chemical synthesis is always more expensive than the
cost of the constituent polymers and the blending operation. The fundamental question that
arises at this point is of course whether the components are miscible or not. This two-volume
book provides the most comprehensive answer to this question both scientifically and
technically.

The aim of the Polymer Blends Handbook has been stated as to provide the most
comprehensive information on all aspects of polymer blend science and technology.
This has indeed been achieved by the expert contributions of prominent experts of the field
from eight countries who work in academia, government laboratories and industry.
The widely diversified and abundant information available on polymer blends in the literature
have been carefully collected and expertly harmonized starting from early ideas and
discoveries to the latest development and applications.
The focus of this handbook has been on blends of thermoplastics made of predominantly
saturated linear macromolecules. The polymer technology moves from the single phase
materials to diverse combination of polymers, additives and reinforcements. At present 36%
of the synthetic resins are used in blends and about 39% in composites, hence showing the
importance of the subject matter of this handbook. An initial review by L. Bohn in 1968 listed
only 12 miscible polymer pairs, only one of the Tables in Appendix II of this book presents
1079 chemically dissimilar polymer pairs miscible in amorphous state at room temperature
clearly showing the growing interest in this constantly expanding area. Considering the vast
number of polymers and copolymers involved in the preparation of blends, the compilation of
literature data on numerous pairs would be a task of enormous challenge. This has been very
successfully achieved by a well-structured, systematic and expert approach of the editor, Dr.
L.A.Utracki. A wealth of information carefully collected from thousands of papers and reports
is presented in tabulated forms thus providing an easy-to-reach format for the reader.

Polymer Blends Handbook is an authoritative and comprehensive reference work on polymer

blends and is an essential reference manual for all researchers in academia and industry with

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interest in the design, characterization, manufacturing, marketing and use of blended
polymers. This up-to-date, clearly written and well-presented compendium is coronated with
useful Appendices which include a full list of International Abbreviations for Polymers and
Polymer Processing (compiled by L.A.Utracki), Miscible Polymer Blends (prepared by S.
Krause and S.H.Goh), Examples of Commercial Blends (compiled by L.A.Utracki), and
Dictionary of Terms Used in Polymer Science and Technology (compiled by L.A.Utracki). A
comprehensive subject index facilitates rapid location of information.
Polymer Blends Handbook is an excellent reference book and highly recommended for
academics and industrial researchers interested and involved in polymer blending.

Following is a humble attempt of this reviewer to make the readers of these lines more
familiar with the contents of 17 chapters of this handbook:

Chapter 1. Introduction to Polymer Blends, L.A. Utracki

In this chapter basic information on polymer blends with special emphasis on commercial
alloys has been given. As expected from an introductory chapter it reminds the reader some
basic concepts in the sequence: i) a historical perspective on the polymer science and
technology, ii) polymeric structures and nomenclature, iii) fundamental concepts in polymer
blend science, and iv) evolution of polymer blends’ technology.

Chapter 2. Thermodynamics of Polymer Blends, L.A. Utracki

The aim of this chapter is to describe how to measure, interpret, and predict the
thermodynamic properties of polymer blends as well as where to find the required information
and/or the numerical values. The chapter can be divided into four parts: 1. Introduction, 2.
Thermodynamic theories of polymer blends, 3. Experimental methods, 4. The characteristic
thermodynamic parameters for polymer blends. Some of the important messages given in this
chapter can be cited as; i) direct application of the laboratory data to industrial systems may
not always be advisable, and ii) theories are not able to predict variation of thermodynamic
properties of commercially attractive systems with modifiers.

Chapter 3. Crystallization, Morphological Structure and Melting of Polymer Blends,

G.Groeninckx, M.Vanneste, V.Everaert

A thorough discussion on the crystallization behavior of polymers in miscible and immiscible

polymer blends is presented including the nucleation behavior, spherulite growth, overall
crystallization kinetics and final semi-crystalline morphology. The special case of ‘coincident
crystallization’ in which the two phases crystallize at the same time is discussed and finally
the effect of compatibilization of crystalline/crystalline polymer blends is briefly discussed.
Each topic is illustrated with various examples from literature to allow the reader to reach
references on relevant subjects for further information.

Chapter 4. Interphase and Compatibilization by Addition of a Compatibilizer, A. Ajji

Polymer/polymer miscibility is always limited to a “miscibility window”, a range of

independent variables, such as composition, molecular weight, temperature, pressure. In fact
immiscibility dominates the field. Compatibilization of polymer blends by means of addition
of a compatibilizer is discussed. The theories of: i) interface, ii) interphase and iii)

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compatibilization processes are summarized. This has provided a general framework for
understanding the phenomena associated with compatibilization, and guidance for
optimization of the process to gain maximum performance. The theoretical part is followed by
experimental part where the methods for the determination of interfacial properties are
presented.

Chapter 5. Reactive Compatibilization of Polymer Blends, S.B. Brown

This chapter identifies and gives examples of the distinct chemical strategies that have been
used to form block, graft or crosslinked copolymers as compatibilizers for immiscible
polymer blends. The emphasis has been given on copolymer formation during melt reaction
occurring during development of morphology. It also attempts to classify the specific
copolymer architectures formed by the different chemical reactions that have been described
in the open literature for reactive compatibilization processes.

Chapter 6. Interpenetrating Polymer Networks, L.H.Sperling and R.Hu

A historical review on interpenetrating Networks (IPNs) was given describing various

methods of synthesis. A comprehensive survey on patent literature on IPNs was made. Major
advances on thermoplastic IPNs, renewable resource materials, biomedical materials and non-
linear optical materials as well as sound and vibration damping systems were exemplified and
elaborated. It has been noted that although IPNs is one of the oldest fields in multicomponent
polymer literature, it is also one of its newest and fastest growing fields.

Chapter 7. The Rheology of Polymer Alloys and Blends, L.A.Utracki and M.R.Kamal

This chapter attempts to underline the common features of multiphase flows. Before
elaborating the rheological performance of polymer blends the basic features of morphology
in immiscible blends were given. Rheological models for both miscible and immiscible blends
were described and compared. It has been clearly shown that even miscible systems can be
rheologically complex. Several binary blends were analyzed based on time-temperature
superposition principle and reptation model. As for the rheological behavior of immiscible
blends a general theory considering the influence of morphology in determining the
rheological behavior in a given flow field was described.

Chapter 8. Morphology of Polymer Blends, Takashi Inoue

Several methods used to investigate morphology of polymer blends were presented. Recently
developed optical microscopic methods were reviewed and for transmission electron
microscopy many staining techniques were described. The importance of etching procedures
for scanning electron microscopy has been demonstrated to reveal real morphologies. The
problems associated with digital image analysis of micrographs were discussed and recently
developed sophisticated methods of image analysis were introduced. For better understanding
of blend morphologies the fundamental mechanisms of morphology development were
discussed and several evidences of local structure formation in single phase polymer-polymer
mixtures were presented.

Chapter 9. Compounding Polymer Blends, L.A.Utracki and G. Z.-H. Shi

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As stated by the authors of this chapter compounding is the most critical and difficult step in
the polymer blends technology. It must combine the fundamental knowledge of
thermodynamic and rheological material behavior, with engineering aspects of flow inside the
mixing machines. A good knowledge of polymer chemistry has been emphasized to be
essential since nowadays significant volumes of blends are reactively compatibilized. This
chapter is composed of four parts: i) Fundamentals of polymer mixing, ii) Blending methods
and equipment, iii) Non-mechanical methods of polymer blending, and iv) Reactive
processing (compatibilization).

Chapter 10. Polymer Blends Forming, Michel M. Dumoulin

This chapter attempts to review the behavior of blends during forming which means on the
processes that fix the shape of the products. The processes are discussed first from the point of
view of the general principles and the effect of material parameters. The behavior of blends is
discussed in terms of processability, flow-induced morphology and the effect of forming on
blend performance. Important forming methods such as extrusion, injection molding, blow
molding, calendering, thermoforming, film blowing, fiber spinning as well as solid state
forming and compression molding. In each case a description of the process and of the main
process parameters is followed by a discussion on the behavior of blends of commodity,
engineering and specialty resins. Processing conditions of commercially available blends are
tabulated whenever possible. Forming of reinforced blends, quality and process control and
finally reprocessing are also discussed.

Chapter 11. Use of High Energy Radiation in Polymer Blends Technology, A. Singh and K.
Bahari

The aim of this chapter has been to summarize the literature on radiation processing of
polymer blends, to highlight the achievements and to discuss the problems encountered. Brief
descriptions of relevant radiation chemistry of organic compounds and known effects of high-
energy radiation on the leading polymers used in blends were given with the aim of enabling
future workers to draw upon this knowledge in the design of the experiments and in industrial
applications. The effects of radiation processing firstly on commodity resin blends, then on
the engineering and specialty resin blends were discussed. The readers of this Journal will
particularly appreciate the value of the information given on radiation processing of polymers
considering the collection and elaboration of extensive data on the effects of radiation on
polymer blends and how to benefit from the unique effects of ionizing radiation on polymers.
Relatively low cost of radiation processing and the fact that the processing can be done at
ambient temperature after the product has been formed adds to the appeal of this technology.

Chapter 12. Properties and Performance of Polymer Blends, S.F. Xavier

An overview of properties and performance of polymer blends was presented in six sections
dealing with aspects required for assessing the performance of a polymer blend under: i) low
speed mechanical properties, ii) high speed mechanical properties and fracture mechanics, iii)
chemical and solvent effects, iv) thermal and thermodynamic properties, v) flammability, vi)
electrical and optical properties. Standard test methods such as ASTM, BS, DIN, ISO for each
property evaluation is summarized. The factors controlling each property were also examined
and each section was concluded with an outline of recent developments pertinent to the
subjects in discussion.

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Chapter 13. Applications of Polymer Alloys and Blends, J.J. Scobbo, Jr. and L.A.Goettler

This chapter focuses on applications of polymer alloys and blends on polymeric systems
giving synergistic and high performance properties. Low performance polymer alloys and
blends of commodity plastics, rubber toughened plastics, copolymers and interpenetrating
networks were excluded. Blend families comprising blends of poly(phenylene ether), blends
of polyesters and blends of polycarbonate of bisphenol-A were given with special attention in
the following applications: automotive applications, lawn and garden, electrical and
electronics applications, medical applications, building and construction, business machines
and communications, packaging.

Chapter 14. Aging and Degradation of Polymer Blends, J.M.G.Cowie, I.J.McEwen and
R.McIntyre

It is well known that the long term stability of a polymer will depend on its physical and
chemical aging characteristics. Physical aging is a manifestation of small scale relaxation
phenomena that takes place in the amorphous regions of a glassy polymer causing volume
contraction and densification of the sample. Chemical aging normally leads to modification of
the polymer chain and may involve chain scission, oxidation, dehalogenation, loss of pendant
groups, hydrolysis and crosslinking. These degradative changes contribute to overall
deterioration of blend properties. These effects were described for blends containing
poly(vinyl chloride), polystyrene, acrylics and polyolefines mixed with a variety of other
polymers. The physical or chemical changes contributing to weathering of blends were
studied by ESR, FTIR, XPS and other chemical methods with special emphasis being given to
depth profiling methods.

Chapter 15. Commercial Polymer Blends, M.K. Akkapeddi

In this chapter an overview of the commercially important blends is presented with particular
emphasis on the reasons for their commercial development, the compatibilization principles,
their key mechanical properties and their current applications and markets. The commercial
polymer blends have been classified into twelve groups depending on the type of the resin
family. Within each major category individual polymer blends of industrial significance have
been described with relevant cost and performance factors contributing to commercial
viability and success. The nature of impact modifiers used and the role of morphology on
properties have been discussed. The chapter concludes with and outline of the potential trends
in the commercial polymer blend development.

Chapter 16. Role of Polymer Blends’ Technology in Polymer Recycling, L.A.Utracki

This chapter focuses on the mechanical reprocessing of plastics, in other words on the
material recovery. The text contains three principal parts of plastics recycling technology i.e.
i) the principles of polymer blending, ii) use of polymer blend technology in plastics
recycling, iii) polymers’ and blends’ recycling. The first part provides an outline of the
principal aspects of thermodynamics, compatibilization and flow behavior of multicomponent
polymeric systems. This is followed by a summary of polymer alloying, blending and
compounding methods as well as the principles of morphology modeling. The third part
focuses on the plastics recycling aspects, recycling of post-consumer polymeric waste, that of
polymer blends. Examples were given to show that when commingled plastic scrap either
from processing plants or the post-consumer waste can be profitably recycled when good

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practices of polymer alloying are followed. The chapter ends with information on the
biodegradable resins and blends.

Chapter 17. Perspectives in Polymer Blend Technology, L.M. Robeson

The future opportunities in commercial polymer blends including commodity, engineering

and high temperature polymers have been discussed in this chapter. The more recent
developments in polymer blend technology have been briefly reviewed and perspectives
discussed. These areas included liquid crystalline polymer blends, molecular composites,
electrically conductive polymer blends and biodegradable polymer systems. Future trends in
the science and technology of polymer blends were discussed including group contributions
and computational modeling involving softwares employing Monte Carlo “ab initio”
molecular dynamics. Additional areas briefly discussed included thermoset-thermoplastic
blends, coatings, interpenetrating polymer networks, blends involving nano-structures,
organics-inorganics sol-gel systems, polyelectrolyte complexes and the role of polymer blends
in recycling.