ABSTRACT
Polymer blends are mixtures of at least two macromolecular species, polymers, or copolymers. Blending of polymers together is a versatile route for producing newer materials with enhanced performance, which can be used for various applications in polymer engineering/technology. The blending of polymers will generally improve impact strength, tensile strength, modulus/ rigidity, along with other properties [1-4]. Blending also bene†ts the manufacturer by offering: (1) Improved processability, product uniformity, and scrap reduction; (2) quick formulation changes; (3) plant Žexibility and high productivity; (4) reduction of the number of grades that need to be manufactured and stored; (5) inherent recyclability, and so forth. Blending is also helpful in the manufacture of toughened plastics having the right combination of lightness and mechanical performance over a wide range of temperatures. The commercial development of polymer blends and alloys is driven by more favorable economics than in the more conventional chemical routes to new products. Blend systems, composed of existing materials, can be developed about twice as rapidly as new polymers, allowing manufacturers to respond more rapidly to new market requirements at reduced cost. Particularly, the polymer blends are designed and manufactured to modify certain properties in order to meet the requirements of newer end use applications. One of the properties most often to be improved is fracture toughness.
