ABSTRACT
Morphology characterization of polymer blends plays a critical role in the establishment of the morphology-property relationships. Morphology of polymer blends can affect substantially their physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. Phase contrast microscopy has been increasingly employed in the study of morphology of polymer blends. Etching techniques can also be applied to the thin-section samples to discover the morphology of multicomponent polymer blends; phase contrast can be improved by selectively dissolving one phase using a volatile solvent on a microtomed sample. Transmission electron microscopy has been used widely in the investigation of morphology and toughening mechanisms of polymer blends. Polymer blends are normally designed and manufactured to modify certain properties in order to meet the requirements of specific end applications. An appropriate analytical technique should be able to provide information on the deformation history of the polymer blends before and during fracture, as well as information on the size and nature of the damage zone in front of a crack tip.
