The Rheology of the Fiber-Forming Process in Melts of Incompatible Polymers at Highly Uniform Shear

Abstract As was shown in some works, the morphology of mixtures of incompatible polymers depends on a number of factors, such as composition of the mixture, viscoelastic properties of the components, conditions of their mixing, and surface tension at the interphase. The rheological properties of the components and, consequently, the conditions of their mixing produce a tangible effect on the phase state of the mixture and its microstructure. The morphology, in turn, determines to a great extent the mechanical properties of the products based on mixtures of incompatible polymers. For example, the anisometry of the dispersed phase particles leads to anisotropy of the mechanical properties. In some cases, for instance, when a mixture of polymers is pressed through ducts, the dispersed phase is observed to form a fibrous structure, which results in one polymer being reinforced by the other.