Analysis of phase structure and evolution of PP/PEOc blends during quiescent molten-state annealing process from SEM patterns. Part II. Co-continuous morphology

The influence of quiescent molten-state annealing process on the phase structure and morphology of poly(propylene)/poly(ethylene-co-octene) blends with co-continuous morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The structure parameter called characteristic length (L) was calculated by the pattern analysis of SEM micrographs to describe morphological variation with annealing time during molten-state annealing process under quiescent condition. Moreover, the potential fractal behavior of the phase structure and morphology of PP/PEOc?=?50/50 blend during the process were discussed. The histograms of P(L/L _m ) obtained at various annealing time fell on a master curve, demonstrating the self-similar growth of the phase structure of the blends during quiescent molten-state annealing process.