ABSENCE OF ISOTHERMAL LAMELLAR THICKENING IN A LINEAR POLYETHYLENE BLEND

• Published in: Journal of macromolecular science. Physics Vol. 40; no. 6; pp. 1097 - 1108
• Main Authors: Barreiro, I., Martín, S., Rodríguez, A., Puig, C. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis Group 30.11.2001; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Crystallization; Exact sciences and technology; Isothermal crystallization; Lamellar thickening; Linear polyethylene blend; Morphology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Properties and characterization; Binary mixture; Melt crystallization; Polyethylene; Melting; Linear polymer; Morphology; Experimental study; Isothermal crystallization
• ISSN: 0022-2348; 1525-609X
• DOI: 10.1081/MB-100107804

Melting and lamellar morphology of a polyethylene blend were studied. Two linear polyethylene (LPE) samples were used. A commercial LPE and a low molecular weight LPE fraction (M n ≈ 2015) were solution blended. The pure LPE and a blend (30% commercial LPE content) were held in the melt at 126° C for up to 48 h, above the equilibrium melting point of the fraction, but below the crystallization temperature of the commercial LPE. The melting behavior of both materials as a function of storage time was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), in addition to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of chlorosulfonated samples. Results showed that, although the LPE lamellae grew at the same temperature, those in the pure LPE were thicker than in the blend. Correspondingly, isothermally grown lamellae in pure LPE melt at higher temperatures.