Question

In polymer Engineering -

To manufacturing blends, what are the two blending methods? Also, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each method?

Answer 1

Actually, there are three types of blending in polymer engineering,

a. Solution Blending-  If two polymers are thermodynamically miscible and if there is a huge difference in melt viscosities then we use solution blending. Also, when compounds degrade by melting then we can use this method for blending by dissolving the polymers in a miscible solvent.

Disadvantages- When we remove the dissolved solution, then the domain size of blending components changes which leads to polymer separation. Also, This is not an economically viable method.

b. Latex blending- In this method, polymers are suspended into the micro phase due to which the neighboring molecules don't interact. Used in commercial polyblends.

Disadvantages- Harm to the environment and very costly.

c. Melt blending- In this method, two polymers are mixed and heated to the molten state. It is better than the other two because there is no cost added for removal of solvent, any recovery or losses.

Disadvantages- Degradation of mixed polymers can occur which can form crosslinking, block polymers etc.