Practical techniques for studying blend microstructure

Abstract

This chapter describes some methods which are used to characterise the microstructure of polymer blends. The main interests of those who are developing new polymer blends is to investigate and measure the degree of miscibility and the interaction of phases, as they can significantly influence the properties and behaviour of the compound. Phase size and size distribution can be revealed directly by microscopy but to obtain information on partial miscibility and interfacial interaction is more difficult and microscopy has to be supported by other techniques for the full characterisation of a polymer blend. All the techniques can provide some useful information in capable hands, but also frustration and wrong results for the less skilled. The preference for a particular technique is dependent on the polymer system, availability of instruments, experience and personal choice. For this reason this account is naturally biased and represents only one possible approach. There is an extensive literature on characterisation of polymer blends, indicating the importance of the subject (for review see e.g. [1-2]).