Towards Finding The Best Existing Model for Prediction of Morphology of Ternary Polymer Blends

The goal of this study was to investigate the capability of conceptual models for correct prediction of ternary blends morphology. All existing models, including spreading coefficient, relative interfacial energy, dynamic interfacial energy (DIE), and modified DIE were employed to predict the type of morphology of the polyamide 6/poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)/poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene) ternary system. Various samples with different compositions were prepared and predictions of the models were compared with the experimental phase morphology of the samples based on scanning electron microscopy micrographs. Additionally, the effect of elasticity of the matrix component on the both predictions and experimental phase structures of the blends was studied. It was demonstrated that, among the available phenomenological models, the modified DIE can comprehensively represent the most correct predictions for the morphology of ternary polymer blends.