Influence of drying condition on dynamic viscoelastic properties of immiscible blend of polyamide and poly (phenylene ether)

Abstract The dynamic viscoelastic properties of an immiscible blend of polyamide and poly(phenylene ether) were analyzed by a nonresonant forced vibration method. The blend material used was a commercial product (Ultranyl KR4520 from BASF). SEM photographs of blend specimen after dissolution of PA66 showed a clear spherical structure of poly(phenylene ether). Also, the variation of storage modulus E' with temperature and the peaks of loss modulus E" exhibited characteristics of the immiscible blend system. The effects of drying conditions and heat-treatment on dynamic mechanical properties of blend were studied. At least 120 h drying was necessary to reach the constant weight for PA66/PPE blend at 80°C under vacuum. The dynamic viscoelastic properties of blend materials containing polyamide phase were sensitive to moisture contents. The temperature dependence of dynamic storage and loss moduli of PA66/PPE blend and PA66 can be accurately measured by performing careful and adequate conditioning of specimens. Keywords: Polyamide 66poly(phenylene ether)immiscible polymer blenddynamic viscoelastic propertieswater absorption