Polymer Blends: Bulk Property

Abstract

Predicting the elastic modulus of a ternary polymer blend according to the complex morphological behavior compared with the case for a binary polymer blend is challenging. In the study reported in the present chapter, the morphology at each volume fraction of a ternary polymer blend was calculated by SUSHI, using a self-consistent field method of the OCTA system. The elastic modulus at each volume fraction was calculated according to the morphology results of a core–shell structure using a finite element method simulator for linear elastic materials, MUFFIN5E_ELASTICA, which is included in OCTA. The calculated values of the elastic modulus corresponding to the morphology reflecting the effect of the core–shell structure at each volume fraction agreed well with experimental values. The combined analysis by the OCTA system can be applied to the design of realistic multiphase rubber-dispersed polymer materials.