ABSTRACT
This chapter describes computer simulations of the phase separation due to the spinodal decomposition by the Cahn–Hilliard model are represented by considering polymer characteristics. The maximum allowable time increment is related to the polymer properties and the grid size. The computer simulation has been applied to studies of phase separation of block copolymers, diblock copolymers, and ternary polymer systems, which are nearer to materials practically used than simple binary systems. The amplification of concentration fluctuation, the structure coarsening during the phase separation process, and the flow-induced phase structure are simulated for binary polymer mixtures. Effects of the volume fraction and polymer characteristics such as the number of segments and the difference of solubility parameter on the phase separation are numerically predicted. A number of polymer alloys and blends have been developed in polymer industries and are commercially available for use in practical products.
