Introduction to compatibilization of polymer blends

The key to preparation of commercially useful blends based on immiscible polymer pairs is compatibililzation. Advances over the past ten years have considerably enhanced the understanding of this phenomenon. The selection of an appropriate compatibilizer and the processing technique to enhance the compatibilization is quite complex. The selection of the compatibilizer is aided by the application of the principles of miscibility and of organic interactions. It may be advantageous to prepare the compatibilizer in situ. Chemical modification of the base components to enhanced interactions between the components is an important option. Processing and rheological effects must also be taken into account. The combination of the compatibilizer and the processing conditions must yield a morphology that will preserve the desired properties of each component while minimizing the undesirable properties. This morphology must be reproducible and stable in the ultimate product and through subsequent recycling processes.