Study on phase separation of PET/PEN blends by dynamic rheology

Abstract Blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN) were processed into biaxially drawn films, and samples taken from the bi‐oriented films were then investigated by dynamic rheology experiments in the melt state. Storage modulus G′ and loss modulus G″ were determined in the frequency range of 10 −2 –10 2 rad/s at temperatures between 260 and 300°C. Although the time–temperature superposition (TTS) principle was found to hold in the high frequency regime, a breakdown of TTS was observed at low frequencies, and the terminal behavior of the storage modulus G′ of the blends departs drastically from the terminal behavior observed for the blend components. This is caused by interfacial surface tension effects. The results indicate that despite the effect of transesterification reactions, the PET/PEN blend systems investigated consist of a microseparate phase of PEN platelets in a matrix of PET. This morphology is produced when the blends are processed into biaxially oriented PET/PEN films, and droplets of PEN are deformed into a lamellar structure consisting of parallel and extended, separate layers. The large interfacial surface area of the bi‐oriented PET/PEN blends leads to remarkably strong interfacial tension effects in dynamic rheology measurements. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008