| Abstract: | Among the various methods for determining compatibility in polymer blends infrared spectroscopy, especially the FT IR method, because of its sensitivity, is a rather simple tool to detect specific interactions as a necessary condition for compatibility in polymer blends. As a special advantage, in addition to hints for compatibility, from FT IR spectroscopy informations about the functional groups involved are obtained. By means of FT IR spectroscopy in blends of poly(oxymethylene) (POM) and polymers with ester groups like poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or poly(tetramethylene terephthalate) (PBTP) the existence of intermolecular interactions between carbonyl groups and the oxygen atoms of POM can be shown. This gives a possibility to detect very weak interactions which cannot be seen with the usual compatibility methods. Nevertheless, such weak interactions may enhance properties like processing behavior or toughness by an increased adhesion between the brittle matrix polymer and the dispersed elastomer phase in impact modified polymer systems. |
