화학공학소재연구정보센터
Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, Vol.34, No.17, 2953-2965, 1996
X-Ray-Scattering and Thermal-Analysis Study of the Effects of Molecular-Weight on Phase-Structure in Blends of Poly(Butylene Terephthalate) with Polycarbonate
Blends of Poly(butylene terephthalate), PET, with Polycarbonate, PC, were studied for a range of molecular weights and blend compositions. Blends were available in PBT/PC compositions 80/20 and 40/60, and with M(w) designated by H (high) or L (low). Samples were prepared by melt crystallization, or by cold crystallization following a rapid quench from the melt. Addition of PC reduces the crystallization kinetics of PET so that the resulting crystals are more perfect than those which form in the homopolymer. Degree of crystallinity of the blends followed the rank ordering : L/L > L/H > H/L = H/H. The glass transition behavior was investigated using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). All blends exhibited two glass transitions at intermediate temperatures between the T(g)s of the homopolymers, indicating existence of a PET-rich phase and a PC-rich phase. Blends L/L were most, and H/H the least, miscible. Small-angle X-ray scattering was performed at room temperature on cold crystallized blends, or at elevated temperature during melt crystallization. The long period was consistently larger, and the linear stack crystallinity was consistently smaller, in blends L/L or H/L. These results indicate that in blends containing low M(w) PC, there is more PC located within the PET-rich phase. The long period was consistently smaller in cold crystallized samples, while the linear stack crystallinity was nearly the same, regardless of melt or cold crystallization treatment. Reduction of the average long period in cold crystallized samples could result from crystallization of PET within the PC-rich phase. This is consistent with thermal analysis results, which indicate that cold crystallized samples have greater overall crystallinity than melt crystallized samples. A hypothetical liquid phase diagram is presented to explain the differences between melt and cold crystallized blends.