• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.121-128
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• 2002

A series of thermoplastic polymers and their blends were melt-processed with high intensity ultrasonic wave in an intensive mixer. For the effective transfer of ultrasonic energy, an experimental apparatus was specially designed so that polymer melt can directly contact with ultrasonic horn. It was observed that significant variations in the rheological properties of polymers occur due to the unique action of ultrasonic wave without any aid of chemical additives. It was also found that the direct sonication on immiscible polymer blends in melt state reduces the domain sizes considerably and stabilizes the phase morphology of the blends. The degree of compatibilization was strongly affected by viscosity ratio of the components and the morphology was stable after annealing in properly compatibilized blends. It is suggested that ultrasound assisted melt mixing can lead to in-situ copolymer formation between the components and consequently provide an effective route to compatibilize immiscible polymer blends.

• Rubber Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2006

Plastic/rubber blends are ultrasonically treated during continuous extrusion in order to investigate the in-situ compatibilization of the blends without any chemicals. The mechanical properties of each blend were significantly improved by ultrasonic treatment. It is believed that ultrasonic treatment of the blends enhances intermolecular interaction, improves adhesion at the interface and creates copolymers during very short time. The created copolymers are believed to be a major reason for enhancing mechanical properties of the blends by in-situ compatibilization during extrusion. This process can be applied fur preparing plastic/rubber blends to make thermoplastic elastomers or plastic/plastic and rubber/rubber blends, and for making novel copolymers from practically any pairs of existing polymers to achieve desirable chemical and physical properties.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.165-170
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• 2005

In this study, high intensity ultrasound was employed to induce mechano-chemical degradation during melt mixing of polycarbonate (PC) and a series of styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers. It was confirmed that generation of macroradicals of constituent polymers can lead to in-situ copolymer formation by their mutual combination, which should be an efficient path to compatibilize immiscible polymer blends and stabilize their phase morphology in the absence of other chemical agents. Based on the effectiveness of the compatibilization by ultrasound assisted mixing process, we investigated the effects of viscosity ratio of PC and SAN and AN content in SAN on the compatibilization of PC/SAN blends. It was found that effectiveness of compatibilization is optimal when the AN content is in the range of favorable interaction with PC and the viscosity of the matrix is higher than that of the dispersed phase. In addition, changes in the interfacial tension between PC and SAN were assessed by examining relaxation spectra which were obtained from measuring rheological properties of ultrasonically treated blends.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.147-152
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• 2004

Ultrasound-assisted melt mixing was applied to blending polystyrene (PS) and low density polyethylene(LDPE). The influence of the ultrasonic irradiation on the morphology and mechanical properties of the blends was investigated. It was observed that the domain sizes of the blend were significantly reduced and phase stability was well sustained even after a thermal treatment. Such morphological feature was consistent with the improvements in mechanical performance of the blends. The desirable results of ultrasonic compatibilization are mainly attributed to the in-situ formation of PS-LDPE copolymers as confirmed by a proper separation experiment. An important relationship between ultrasonic irradiation time and mechanical properties is revealed and an issue on the thermal stability of the blend is discussed.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.38-50
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• 2003

This paper describes recent advances in ultrasonic devulcanization technology and the in.Situ ultrasonic compatibilization of the blends of the immiscible polymers by making copolymers at the interfaus and their vicinities and our understanding of the mechanism of these processes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Rheology Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.129-132
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• 2002

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Rheology Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.143-146
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• 2002

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.225-231
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• 2004

High intensity ultrasound was irradiated to induce mechano-chemical degradation during melt processing of polycarbonate (PC) and styrene-co-acrylonitrile (SAN) in an intensive mixer. It was found that macroradicals of PC and SAM can be generated during ultrasound assisted melt processing; which, in turn, provides a useful route to achieve in-situ compatibilization for the blends of PC and SAM by their mutual coupling. Effectiveness of compatibilization was assessed by investigating phase morphology and mechanical properties of the blends. It was observed that domain size was reduced and the stability of morphology was well maintained even after annealing treatment of the blends. In audition, the enhancement of mechanical properties such as elongation at break and tensile strength was evident, which added further confirmation on the desirable feature that sonication of melt-blends is able to enhance intermolecular interaction by promoting chemical bonds between dissimilar polymers without use of any compatibilizers.