Effects of ultrasonic oscillation on processing behaviors of PS, EPDM, and PS/EPDM blend

In this study, the extrusion processing behaviors of polystyrene (PS), ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM), and their blend (PS/EPDM, 80/20) were studied by using a special ultrasonic oscillation extrusion system developed in our laboratory. The die pressure and volume flow rate were measured at different ultrasonic intensities and screw rotation speeds. The dependences on ultrasonic intensity of die pressure, volume flow rate, and apparent viscosity of polymers, as well as die swell at the same screw rotation speed were investigated. The effects of screw rotation speed on the processing behaviors of polymers and their blend at the same ultrasonic intensity were also studied. The experimental results showed that in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation, the processibilities of polymers and their blend were improved. Their possible mechanism is discussed in this article. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.