TRANSPARENT POLYMERIC MULTIPHASE SYSTEMS

Usually two phase polymer blends are not transparent because of differences in the refractive indices of their components and the resulting light scattering. By means of model calculations on the basis of the Mie-theory, the conditions for transparency in two-phase polymer blends are investigated. The models used are homogeneous spheres or spheres with a core-shell morphology imbedded in the polymer matrix. The light scattering of these particles is calculated as a function of diameter, refractive index, wavelength and particle-composition. Results are presented that show the limits of diameter and difference in the refractive indices between matrix and particle for homogeneous particles to obtain transparency. In the case of large differences in the refractive indices or of large diameters the use of spheres with a core-shell morphology is favourable. Depending on the refractive indices of the respective phases, there exists an optimal composition of these spheres to obtain transparent polymer-blends. Another way to transparency is the minimization of light scattering by interparticle interferences, which can be achieved by special types of block-copolymers.