Abstract
Summary: Blends of PEI and PPSU were prepared directly during the plasticization step of an injection molding process throughout the full composition range. The molded blends were transparent and showed a single glass transition and no dispersed phase by SEM. These characteristics did not allow the presence of a single miscibilized phase to be inferred unambiguously due to the very similar T~g~s and refractive indices of the two components of the blends. Miscibility was inferred after close observation of the position, height and area of the enthalpy relaxation peak of the 50/50 blend. The modulus of elasticity and yield stress changed linearly with composition, leading to polymer materials with intermediate characteristics. The linearity was attributed to the lack of decrease in free volume induced by mixing and to the similar orientation of the components before and after mixing. The PPSU presence only slightly reduced the known tendency towards brittle fracture of PEI under notched impact conditions, but the presence of a single amorphous phase led to an expected ductile behavior of the blends close to that predicted by the single rule of mixtures.
Break stress (•) and break strain (○) of PEI/PPSU blends as a function of composition.
magnified imageBreak stress (•) and break strain (○) of PEI/PPSU blends as a function of composition.